A MAN with many friends and family in his home town of Darwen died suddenly at work, aged 52.

Bob Chenery suffered a heart attack at St Regis Hollins Paper Mill on Easter Monday.

His fiance Shirley has paid tribute to the Blackburn Rovers fan who loved "a laugh and a joke".

The couple lived in Hollins Grove Street, Darwen.

They had been saving up to improve their home and planned to get married some time in the future.

Shirley added: "He never had a bad word to say about anybody. He was thoughtful, kind and considerate.

"It is a total shock to lose him this way. He was stressed because he'd been working long hours but not any more than usual. I spoke to him the morning he died and he seemed okay.

"We will all miss him."

A memorial fund has been set up for Bob to help pay for a permanent reminder of his life in the town.

Donations can be made through Darwen Funeral Service in Blackburn Road.

A funeral service and burial was taking place at Pleasington Crematorium this afternoon.