TRIBUTES have been pouring in following the death of Clayton Harrier Jack Riley.

The 79-year-old, who would have turned 80 on March 16, died on Sunday at his home on Red Lees Road.

Only last year he was voted in as a Life Member of the club and the day he died he had been out on one of his regular walks with his wife Betty around Cliviger.

Clayton President Don Barton led the tributes to the man who joined Clayton in 1978 at the age of 56 - and holds a host of race records for various age groups - and didn't stop running up until two years ago.

"He was an example to everybody. He was one of our senior members and everybody held him in high regard.

"He used to do the Burnley and Grand Prix regularly and always used to be apologetic that he was going to come last. But nobody minded and we were glad he kept turning up."

Clayton team-mate Richard Lawson said Jack was an inspiration to his wife Val when she took up running. "He kept encouraging Val and offered support when she needed it. He was one of the nice men."

Eric Wrathall, organiser of Jack's local race the Cliviger Six for the last four years, was quick to pay his respects

He said: "Jack was a great ambassador for the sport. He would do anything for anybody. I remember once I saw him at the Barley Fell race and my son had just started to do a bit of cross country running.

"Jack noted this and a few days later, without any prompting, he turned up with a wooden ledge he has made for my son to put his trophies on. That was Jack, forever thoughtful."

Peter Browning, Clayton's Secretary, said: "I used to organise the Thieveley Pike Fell Race. Jack always used to turn out and he must have been in his 70s. He knew he was slow, and always used to apologise to the finish marshalls when he came in. However everyone had so much respect and admiration for him that they never minded."

JACK'S funeral will take place tomorrow (Friday) at 1pm at Burnley Crematorium