TRIBUTES have been paid to an amateur sports coach who died in an industrial accident just a month before he was due to retire.

Ian Bradley, 59, a fitter at Clitheroe's Castle Cement works, is thought to have been crushed by a forklift truck during the incident on Thursday.

Friends said he had taken voluntary redundancy and was due to leave at the end of the month after 40 years at the site.

Mr Bradley, of Lingfield Avenue, Clitheroe, was heavily involved in East Lancashire's junior football leagues and also helped out at Ribblesdale Wanderers Cricket Club, based in Clitheroe.

He was manager of a number of teams at Clitheroe Wolves, a junior football club that plays in several amateur leagues including the Hyndburn and District Boys League and the Accrington and District League.

He also helped his 16-year-old son, Dale, succeed in his bid to play for Burnley FC's youth team.

A spokesman for the family said: "Ian was a wonderful man. He loved his family and he was well respected by his colleagues at Castle Cement.

"He was very much looking forward to retiring at the end of the month and he had great plans for the future. He was a wonderful father and was extremely proud of all his children.

"Ian was a passionate football fan and had volunteered his time coaching youngsters. He leaves a partner, Michaela, and his two youngest sons, Dale and Jack."

Anne Barker, secretary of Clitheroe Wolves, which coached around 450 boys and girls, paid tribute to Mr Bradley.

She said: "His death has just left a gaping hole at the club.

"The boys know what happened and are utterly devastated."

Terry Braithwaite, vice-chairman of Ribblesdale Wanderers and a collegue of Mr Bradley's at Castle Cement, said: "Ian was always an enthusiastic dad and, instead of just coming down to watch his son play, would get involved in the coaching."

Vince Overson, head of youth development at Burnley FC where Dale is a first-year apprentice, said: "He was a very genuine man who was very popular with players and parents."

An investigation involving police and the Health and Safety Executive is now underway. Police said there are no suspicious circumstances.