A 39-year-old man has died after collapsing at the bar in a pub in Blackburn town centre last night.

Tim Matthews, a former psychiatric nurse at Royal Blackburn Hospital, suffered a suspected heart attack in the Arena Bar in Astley Gate.

Friends said that Mr Matthews, who lived in Larkhill, was a regular at the pub, but was in good shape and had suffered no previous ill-health.

Pub manager Noel Murphy said that everyone had been left shocked by the incident.

Mr Matthews had only just ordered a drink at the bar at around 9pm when he collapsed.

He said: “He just came in like normal to have a drink with his friend.

"At first I thought he was having a fit. He collapsed at the bar and we put him in the recovery position.

“There was a police officer going by at the time and the ambulance was called.”

He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he later died.

Mr Matthews had lived in Blackburn for the last four years and was originally from Canterbury.

Mr Murphy said the regulars at the pub were struggling to come to terms with the incident.

He said: “He came in most nights but was not a big drinker.

"He was a fantastic guy and was always positive.

“He was also healthy and walked everywhere. That is why it is such a shock.”

One of his friends, who was in the bar at the time, said: “He was a private person and never wanted a fuss. It was going to be his 40th birthday in November and he wouldn’t even let us throw him a party in the pub.

“We have been told that he suffered a heart attack. He had never had any health problems before.”

An inquest is expected to take place in due course after the death was reported to the coroner.