A POPULAR Leyland man who fought a long and brave battle against cancer has died.

Former Leyland Trucks worker Peter Gibson was diagnosed with a brain tumour more than two years ago.

He had hoped to travel to New York for a life-saving operation by pioneering surgeon Patrick Kelly but doctors told him his condition was too advanced to operate.

He died on Friday, October 4, in Chorley District Hospital, with his wife and family by his side. He was 43.

Now friends and family have paid tribute to the man they regarded as an "inspiration" to others.

Wife Ellen said: "Peter was the most kind hearted man I knew and nobody ever said a bad word about him. He was so popular, a real inspiration.

"He didn't want everyone to take a full day off for his funeral so he insisted it should be on a Friday afternoon and that no-one was allowed to wear black."

Friends and well-wishers had raised £11,000 for Peter's life-saving trip to the USA. But when hope of treatment were dashed Peter and wife Ellen, from Elmwood Avenue, used the cash for a holiday in Magaluf with daughter Victoria, nine, a pupil at Seven Stars County Primary, Peacock Hall Road.

The dedicated Preston North End fan, known by friends as 'Gibber,' worked for Leyland Trucks from the age of 16.

Lifelong pal Gerry Thompson met Peter when he was a young apprentice at Leyland Trucks foundry. He said: "Peter was always the first person to offer help if anyone needed it.

"It's amazing how many people knew him, he was the most popular man I ever met."

Peter's funeral will be held at Turpin Green Methodist Church, Leyland, on Friday, October 11, at 1.15pm.