AN amateur entertainer who devoted much of his life to raising money for charity has died at the age of 56.

Colin Wilkshire was a member of the Darwen Entertainers for about 25 years and also supported the Darwen Library Theatre Players for many years.

A talented singer himself, Mr Wilkshire organised many of the local charity concerts and shows over the years which raised money for various worthy causes and organisations.

Mr Wilkshire, of Browning Street, Hoddlesden, had worked at the Vernon Carus factory in the village but had been forced to give up work and his involvement in charity work when he became ill about 18 months ago. His sister-in-law Mrs Sylvia Wilkshire said: "Colin will be well remembered and very sadly missed.

"He worked tirelessly, organising concerts for charity and performing himself.

"It was his life."

Mr Wilkshire had been a member of the Salvation Army in his younger days and still supported the organisation in later life.

He died in Queen's Park Hospital and leaves two brothers and a sister.