AUSTRALIAN music promoter Harry Washburn has died suddenly at the age of 33.

He came to East Lancashire last year with South African grunge rock band Leash and was living in Clayton le Moors.

Shocked band members have been devastated by the death of their friend and manager.

But they will play as planned in the Sounds 96 concert in Oak Hill Park, Accrington, a week tomorrow.

Guitarist Aussie Richardson said: "I think Harry would have wanted that."

Bass player Q Hoidge said: "He once said he had sold his soul to the band.

"From what's happened it's a lot more than just his soul which he gave to the band which is all the more reason we have to carry on."

Harry collapsed at the house he shared in Melbourne Street with Q and Q's girlfriend Mandy Karius.

Paramedics revived and treated him but Harry refused to go to hospital.

Several hours later he suffered a relapse in his sleep and another ambulance was called.

Despite attempts by his friends and paramedics to revive him, Harry was dead on arrival at hospital.

Aussie said Harry had the band in his heart when he refused to go to hospital.

"He did not want to cause trouble for the band in any way.

"The way he died mirrors in no way his life. The circumstances are a shock to us all," added Aussie.

The musician, song writer and journalist, originally from Sydney, had travelled widely to the USA, New Zealand and Indonesia.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.