A FORMER dentist has died in hospital following a heart attack.

David Hamer, 63, retired from the profession just a year ago after having a surgery in Colne Road, Burnley, for 37 years.

He had planned to join his wife Helen in the nursery garden business she had opened in Gisburn. Mr Hamer, who lived in the Ribble Valley, was also the chairman of the Nelson, Brierfield and Reedley Rotary Club.

He was also a keen musician and was a violinist with the Colne Orchestra.

As a youngster Mr Hamer went to Heasandford Primary School, Burnley Grammar School and Burnley Municipal College. He then followed his older brother into dentistry, which he studied at Manchester University.

He worked in Manchester for a number of years before returning to Burnley to set up his own practice with dentist Michael Bretherton.

He died on Tuesday leaving a wife and two sons.