HUNDREDS of people are expected to say farewell to an East Lancashire hotel owner who has died following a stroke.

Frank Hargreaves, 66, owner of Mytton Fold Hotel and golf course in Langho, died on Saturday after a short illness.

Friends, hotel staff and fellow community stalwarts are expected to pay their respects at his funeral next week.

Described by friends as a committed family man, Frank built up the hotel business from scratch more than 20 years ago.

Converted from redundant farm buildings by Frank and his wife Lillian in 1982, the hotel complex has grown to employ 40 full-time and 40 part-time staff.

Its private 72-par golf course was opened in 1994 by then- Blackburn Rovers manager Kenny Dalglish and now has a resident PGA pro player on hand.

Frank was the third generation of his family to farm Mytton Fold and following an outbreak of swine disease in 1980 the couple decided to supplement their income by using two rooms of the farmhouse for bed and breakfast.

Two years later a former stable block was converted to provide four bedrooms and further extensions eventually produced the current 28 bedrooms and golf course.

The couple's three married children work in the business. Barbara is the general manager, Carol is the complex administrator and David is the banqueting and conference manager.

Mrs Hargreaves today paid tribute to her husband. She said: "Once we had decided to diversify from farming into the leisure and catering business the whole thing just grew.

"But in spite of all he achieved, Frank was first and foremost a family man who doted on his children and grandchildren.

In the 1950s and 60s he played as an all-rounder for Whalley Cricket Club, and was president of Whalley Conservative Club. He was also a member of the Freemasons Lodge of United Brethren, Blackburn.

A funeral service will be held at 11am on Tuesday at St Leonard's Church, Langho.