A GRANDFATHER and football fan who was one of the first people in East Lancashire to undergo a heart swap operation has died.

Vincent Hodkinson, 58, of Accrington, received his new heart in an operation at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, in September 1990. He died on Friday in Queen's Park Hospital.

Mr Hodkinson had been at Turf Moor watching his beloved Burnley beat Aldershot 3-0 when his bleeper went off, calling him away for the life-saving transplant.

Son Steven drove him to the hospital at 120mph with the help of a police escort. Mr Hodkinson had been put on a waiting list in March the previous year and at one point was told he had just six months to live.

Steven said: "He was the sort of person who battled against his illness. He loved football and he was always keen on his sports. We went together to the last home game against Chesterfield and the family went out for a meal in Garstang last weekend too. His death was sudden and it came as a shock."

The family now hope that Mr Hodkinson's "pride and joy", granddaughter Amy, will be able to take over his season ticket at Burnley.

Mr Hodkinson's wife Joyce said: "He used to enjoy fishing until quite recently but he had to stop because he began feeling the cold quite a bit."

When he spoke about his transplant in 1997 the former dyehouse worker had only praise for the the doctors and nurses at Wythenshawe for giving his life a boost. He said they had been "100 per cent behind him", no matter what happened.

His funeral service and cremation will take place on Friday at Accrington Crematorium, at 11am. The family have requested no flowers, but donations if desired can be made to New Heart New Start Appeal, Wythenshawe Hospital, Bells Moor Road, Manchester, M25 9LT.

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