TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Burnley FC director and magistrate who has died, aged 70.

Bernard Rothwell was an outspoken businessman and former councillor who served 27 years on the magistrates bench for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale.

Mr Rothwell died while on a holiday cruise, it is believed near Alaska.

His wife Florence was with him and their son Gordon is understood to have flown out to escort her home.

Mr Rothwell, who originally comes from Brierfield, left school at the age of 14 to train as an apprentice plumber and worked to become a millionaire.

He was a well-known figure among Pendle politics, education, business and community organisations.

He lived with his wife of 49 years Florence, their daughter Linda and her two sons in a farmhouse in Fence. He also leaves Gordon, daughter Christine and seven grandchildren.

Mr Rothwell was a supporter of Burnley FC and a director of the club up to 1998 when he sold his shares.

His rise to prominence from humble beginnings began when he completed a plumbing apprenticeship in 1952.

After national service he started his own business in 1955 with a £200 bank loan.

In 1968 he was part of a group which started Nelson-based James Hargreaves Ltd plumbers merchants, which today has a turnover of more than £10million.

He held many positions in the plumbing industry and was independent chairman of the National Joint Industry Board for plumbing and mechanical service engineers from 1990 to 1999.

He was also chairman and a director of Mercer Print UK Ltd, in Accrington.

Mr Rothwell was a councillor for Nelson Borough Council and Pendle District Council. He served as chairman of Edge End High School for 10 years and was also a governor of Nelson and Colne College.

On the day he retired from the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale bench three days before his 70th birthday in August last year, Mr Rothwell talked of how he prided himself on his human approach in court and always explained decisions to defendants.

He also criticised Europe's influence on the British judicial process and admitted he was not a fan of the Human Rights Act.

He added that he planned to spend his retirement at his farmhouse home, cruising and holidaying.

A Burnley FC spokesman said: "Burnley Football Club was deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Mr Rothwell.

"Mr Rothwell was a former director of the club and a true supporter who played a major part in the development of the football club for a number of years.

"The chairman, directors, management and staff's thoughts are with Mr Rothwell's family at this time."

Basil Dearing, of Steel, Ford and Newton Solicitors, Burnley, was a director of Burnley FC at the same time as Mr Rothwell.

He said: "He was a good magistrate who was down to earth and empathised with people. He could also see through people."