A MAN has lost his 16 year battle with leukaemia.

But despite going under treatment for the cancer for nearly a decade and a half, his death has come as a sudden shock to his friends. Many did not know he had the illness.

Peter Burch, 66, was well known throughout Britain's motor-racing fraternity and penned a popular book which paid tribute to famous TT racer Mike Hailwood.

Mr Burch, of Briar Hill Close, Blackburn, died at Blackburn Royal Infirmary on New Year's Eve, after the lymphatic leukaemia finally overwhelmed his body.

Today, his family paid tribute to Mr Burch and thanked friends, including biking champion Carl Fogarty,for their support since in the last week.

Son Mark said: "My father was a remarkable gentleman who didn't let the leukaemia get in the way of what he wanted to do."

Although the illness forced Mr Burch to give up his job at the old Refuge Insurance Company in Blackburn, it did not stop him playing an active role in his big passion, motorcycle sprint.

Mark added: "He carried on and was really involved in that, as he always had been.

"He was a former champion and when he was racing, he had really big name sponsors like Shell and Champion.

"So many people have said they are shocked by his death because he did not tell people about the leukaemia. He just wanted to get on with things."

Mr Burch leaves behind wife Anne, and another son, Steven, who works at King George's Hall.

The funeral was due to take place at Pleasington Crematorium today.