A FIT and active sportsman and well-known amateur soccer referee has died after collapsing during a competitive tennis match.

Fellow members of Elton Vale Sports Club rushed to the aid of 60-year-old Mr Graham Wilcock after he suffered a suspected heart attack. They attempted to revive him until paramedics arrived. But he died a short time later.

Mr Wilcock, known as Nat to his friends, collapsed during a mixed doubles Bolton Federation tennis match at the Elton Vale club on Tuesday night (June 25).

His death has shocked members and officials of the sports club which Mr Wilcock, of Manchester Old Road, Bury, had represented for many years.

He began his association with the organisation as a soccer player before later representing the club in tennis and table tennis matches.

Mr Wilcock was also a popular and well-known class one referee. For the past 15 years, he had officiated at amateur soccer matches throughout Lancashire and had been due to continue at the start of the new season.

The self-employed businessman, whose company supplied corporate and promotional gifts, leaves a wife, Rita, a son and daughter and grandson.

Mrs Rita Wilcock (58), said: "Graham had a heart attack in May 2000. But he was back playing sports again the year after. He always kept himself fit.

"After his heart attack, each week he would go to a heart support group and gym at Fairfield Hospital and a keep fit class at Clarence Park. For his age, he was a very fit man."

She added: "He was always known as Nat, ever since he was a young boy.

"When he was a boy, Nat Lofthouse was his idol. He began to call himself Nat and the name stuck."

A post mortem was being held yesterday (Thurs June 27) to determine the full cause of death. Funeral arrangements have yet to be made."