A BUSINESSMAN who left East Lancashire to start a new life in Brazil has drowned in a swimming accident.

Geoff Pike, 45, formally of Prospect Road, Rawtenstall, went swimming with friends on Saturday at Imbe Beach, Rio Grande de Sol, in the south of the country.

It is understood that he got into difficulties and became separated from his friends. They found him but were unable to revive him.

He is expected to be flown back to Rossendale in the next few days when Brazilian authorities have completed their inquiries.

He had been a frequent visitor to Brazil, where much of his stock was manufactured. He met his Brazilian wife Adri there and they were married last year.

The couple moved to South America just before Christmas.

Mr Pike's former business partner and ex-wife, Sandra said: "The whole family is devastated by his death. He was very well known, much loved and will be very much missed by everyone."

Mr Pike, who was one of six children, leaves three children, Nicholas, Natalie and Nina.

A school holiday job led to Mr Pike entering the footwear business and he was soon selling shoes at markets throughout the North West.

He was familiar stallholder at Blackburn Market for many years until he moved into the wholesale side of the shoe trade, designing his own shoes for the Sabatini label and having them made in a variety of places, including Rossendale and abroad.

A keen sportsman, he enjoyed five-a-side football and was a supporter of Burnley FC. He had been a match sponsor at Turf Moor.

Mr Pike was disqualified from his role as company director of fashion footwear sales company Geoffrey Pike Wholesale Footwear Ltd of Waterfoot in 1999.

Mr Pike and ex-wife Sandra were disqualified as company directors after admitting they traded when they knew the business was insolvent, leaving debts of more than £500,000.

When the company was place in voluntary liquidation in September 1995 creditors were owed £502, 085.