MOURNERS will follow a horse-drawn hearse through the centre of Oswaldtwistle on Monday in a fitting final tribute to horse-lover Brian Smith.

Mr Smith, 63, was found dead at his home in Cross Street, Oswaldtwistle, last Sunday after suffering a heart attack.

The alarm was raised when he failed to make his daily trip to his horses at a nearby farm.

Rishton-born Mr Smith lived in Oswaldtwistle for most of his life.

He was a member of the Shire Horse Society and also reared beef cattle and kept goats and rams at plots of land in White Ash, Oswaldtwistle, and Sough Lane, Guide.

He spent 25 years as a driver at William Blythe Chemicals, Church, before early retirement.

He was also a member of the James Street Working Men's Club, Oswaldtwistle, and of the Irish League, in Simpson Street, before it closed.

He never married, but has a close-knit family, including brothers Robert and Peter, nephew Karl, nieces Joanne, Rebecca, June, Pat and Barbara and three cousins, all of whom live in Oswaldtwistle.

Niece Joanne Smith, of Trinity Street, said: "He was very popular and everybody loved him.

The cortege will leave Oswaldtwistle Funeral Services in Union Road at 11am and mourners will walk behind the carriage for a service at Immanuel Church, Oswaldtwistle, at 11.30am.

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