A RETIRED businessman was found dead after the motorised mobility buggy he was driving fell from a bridge into a pond in his garden.

Roland Halstead, 86, of Foulridge, was discovered by his gardener at 9.25am yesterday.

Police said there were no suspicious circumstances. A post mortem examination was due to take place today.

The fire brigade recovered Mr Halstead and the buggy from the pond.

Mr Halstead's large house has extensive gardens, including a stream which runs into the pond. He was travelling over the overflow from the pond when the accident happened.

Mr Halstead's son Peter said: "The gardener turned up at the house and found my father. He loved his garden, which is why things have happened like this.

"He did a lot for the community but he was quite unassuming about it. He just got on with doing things."

Mr Halstead, a widower, was born in Colne and lived in the area all his life. He attended the town's grammar school and joined J Pearson & Co, a family business in Knotts Lane, Colne, which made mirror and picture frames.

Mr Halstead was initially exempt from service during the Second World War because the Government viewed his factory as an essential service but Mr Halstead managed to persuade the authorities to allow him to serve as an air crew member with the RAF based in this country.

The family business later became known as Peerart and Mr Halstead was also involved in another business, PKD, which organised exhibitions and other events.

Mr Halstead retired from business life when PKD was sold and Peerart taken over in a management buyout in the 1980s.

He was a keen Mason, attending the Colne lodge, and held the high honour of Officer of the United Grand Lodge of England.

Mr Halstead was one of the founding members of Colne Round Table and its second chairman, and was involved with Colne Rotary Club for many years. He was also involved with the local civic trust and other groups.

Mr Halstead's wife Roberta died eight years ago.

He leaves Peter and another son Stephen, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.