SPORTS retailer JJB today announced a slump in profits as staff tried to come to terms with the death of chief executive Duncan Sharpe.

The 43-year-old, of Waddington Old Hall, Waddington, near Clitheroe, was found hanging from a tree by a farmer at a Bolton-by-Bowland beauty spot at 1.15pm on Monday.

Mr Sharpe, who was also the chief executive of sister company Whelco and was a director of Wigan Athletic FC, is understood to have been suffering from a stomach illness but his death has mystified family and colleagues.

Workers at Wigan-based JJB Sports paid tribute to their chief executive, the son-in-law of founder and former Blackburn Rovers player Dave Whelan. In its announcement to the Stock Exchange today, brought forward a day because of the death, JJB said pretax profits for the first six months of the year had fallen to £39.3 million compared with £47.2 million for the same period last year.

But the results were broadly in line with market expectations, which had been lowered following a profits warning in July. JJB said total sales at the TJ Hughes discount department store chain, which has a store in Blackburn and was acquired in the spring, fell 9.2 pct on a like-for-like basis.

JJB's share price, which has come off a 2002 high of 458p, has been in the doldrums since March when the company announced plans to buy TJ Hughes. The purchase was widely criticised by both analysts and investors.

Mr Whelan said today: "These results are overshadowed by the tragic death earlier this week of Duncan Sharpe.

"He was a son and friend, a key member of the JJB team and will be sorely missed by family, friends and company alike."

Waddington vicar the Rev Alan Bailey said he was shocked to hear of Duncan Sharpe's death: "He was a young man, with a young family, and this is desperately sad news," he said.

Duncan occasionally drank in the Waddington Arms, Waddington, where owner James Warburton and his staff were also stunned.

Mr Warburton said: "Our thoughts are with his wife and young family. This is very sad news and we are all shocked."

Wigan-based JJB Sports paid tribute to Mr Sharpe, who leaves wife Jayne and children Laura, Matthew, David and Paul.

A company statement said: "Duncan's friendly and outgoing personality made him many friends, both in the business and outside work. We know he will be sadly missed by all his colleagues and the people he dealt with since coming to Wigan.

"His enthusiasm, energy and knowledge of both businesses have been a significant factor in the success of JJB Sports and Whelco. Our thoughts are with Duncan's family and we feel sure they will be given the strength to face the next few days and weeks."

A police spokesman said the death was not being treated as suspicious. An inquest is due to be opened tomorrow by East Lancashire coroner Michael Singleton.