A FAMILY today paid tribute to a man found hanged at his home and said he was driven to suicide by worries about his reputation.

Bernard Alan Wilson was found by his wife Nichola on December 30 after apparently taking his own life.

Today Nichola, her 19-year-old son Christopher Goodison and step-daughter Nichola Wilson, 23, said he was a dedicated man who loved his home and his family.

In his spare time, they added, Bernard loved to play sport and was also keen on cycling and walking.

He had worked as a driver for Blackburn with Darwen Council's cleansing department for 27 years and was said to be committed to his job.

His wife Nichola added: "He was an excellent worker, he was work mad. He often worked seven days a week and he dedicated his life to his job."

But his family said a diligent, professional and hard-working man became stressed and started binge drinking after an incident at work.

Nichola added: "Just over two years ago he was working overtime, making sure that people had their bins emptied.

"He was involved in an incident with an Asian man who reported Bernard to the council for racially abusing him. After that he was suspended and there was an investigation.

"Everyone who knew him knows he would never do anything like that."

The family, including Bernard's sisters Anne Harris and Elaine Riley, all said that he was unlikely to have ever used racist language.

Although he was reinstated by the council they feel Bernard was still worried about the incident. Nichola said: "Bernard felt let down because he thought there was never a definite answer to it.

"After he went back to work he was terrified of anything like that happening again.

"He didn't want people to think bad of him and it even affected the way he felt about his workmates. He couldn't relax because he was scared someone might say something that got him in trouble again."

The family are still struggling to come to terms with the loss of a man whom, they said, was liked by everyone who knew him.

The family home in Ramsgreave Road has been inundated with flowers and cards and many of Bernard's workmates are expected to attend his funeral at Holy Souls Church on Thursday.

Bernard's sister Elaine Riley believes that his suspension from work drove him to suicide. She said: "He never got over it.

"He wasn't an alcoholic or a manic depressive but he always struggled to come to terms with it and I think it all got too much for him."

Many of Bernard's former colleagues were expected to attend his funeral and a full inquest into his death has been set for April.

Peter Hunt, director of direct services at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "Bernard was a valued member of the Council's staff who gave many years of good service.

"What happened to him was a tragedy and our deepest sympathies go out to his family."