A POPULAR cricket umpire collapsed and died after suffering a heart attack while officiating at a match.

Mr Richard Luty, from Rutherford Drive, Over Hulton, was umpiring at a second team match between Atherton and Darcy Lever in Hacken Lane on Saturday.

Players and officials tried desperately to revive Mr Luty, aged 75. An ambulance drove onto the pitch and took him to Royal Bolton Hospital where he later died.

Mr Luty and his wife, Elizabeth, were to have celebrated their Golden Wedding in August.

Mr Luty was church warden at St Andrew's, Over Hulton.

Vicar Rev Paul Ellis announced Mr Luty's death to shocked parishioners on Sunday morning - Sermons Sunday.

"We pray particularly for his wife Elizabeth and his three daughters Jennifer, Janet and Judith and their families.

"Richard, a Yorkshire man, always had a distinctive white rose buttonhole, a pleasant greeting and an easy manner with people."

Mr Luty had worked for Ordinance Survey and was a member of the Probus Society.

"Richard has been part of the fabric of St Andrew's Church for many years holding the office of Church Warden for the last ten years. He always had an encouraging word of greeting for everybody as the church met to worship.

"He will be missed for his public office and for the many behind the scenes things that he did for the church," said Mr Ellis.

The funeral is at 12 noon next Monday, June 19, at St Andrew's Church followed by cremation at Overdale.