A PLASTERER from Rossendale has died after falling from the fourth floor of a London hotel.

Police were called to the Hotel Angela in Shepherd's Bush Road, Hammersmith, and found that Victor Docherty, 36, had fallen from a room.

Mr Docherty, a member of the Haslingden-based Lancashire Constabulary boxing club, was taken to Charing Cross Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

He had travelled to the capital at the end of last week to carry out some work.

His fiancee Dawn, who is believed to be from Haslingden, was in London yesterday with Mr Docherty's brother, speaking to police about the tragedy.

Mr Docherty, of Burnley Road East, Lumb, died hours after watching Burnley FC play at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

Police were called to the hotel at 5.30am on Sunday and found that Mr Docherty had fallen.

It is believed Mr Docherty and Dawn were due to get married later this year.

He had planned to have his stag party at Waterfoot Social Club, where he was a regular customer. His funeral wake is now planned to be held there.

Shocked friends and neighbours have paid tribute to Mr Docherty.

Linda Wharton, stewardess at the Ashworth Street social club said: "It's been a huge shock for us all.

"I'd known Vic for a few years. He came in the club a lot. He was so popular with other customers and staff.

"His death has broken my heart. I'm gutted."

Mr Docherty moved to Rossendale from his foster home in Blackley, Manchester, when he was still a teenager.

Arthur Walsh, who runs the police boxing club based at Sharples Gym in Haslingden, met him soon after.

Mr Walsh said: "I met Victor when he was 17 or 18, when he was at the police station.

"I mentioned the boxing club to him, and he said he had done it before so I invited him to come along and box for us.

"He went on to become one of our most successful players, boxing in the Amateur Boxing Association semi-finals, before he retired six years ago.

"He was always a determined worker, and such a popular, well-known man.

"He came to Rossendale and fought hard to give himself the life he wanted. I can't believe he's gone."

As well as becoming a plasterer, Mr Docherty also became well known in the area from his part time work as bouncer at the Royal Hotel in Waterfoot.

He was also a regular in the Roebuck and Hargreaves Arms pubs in Lumb, and at Ye Olde Boot and Shoe in Miller Barn Lane, Waterfoot.

Landlady Sue Smith paid tribute to Mr Docherty. She said: "He was a really lovely guy who'd been coming in for quite a few years.

"He was so tall. He always used to bang his head on the low beams in the pub, and would ask me to have them altered for him.

"I know he was due to get married. It's just so sad.

"Everybody who comes into the pub knows Vic, he was always up for a laugh and having a good time. Everyone's extremely upset at the tragic news."

Meg Nuttall, 50, who lives in the same row of terrace homes as Mr Docherty in Burnley Road East was shocked at his death.

She said: "He was pleasant. He was well known round here by the young generation. It is a real shame."

A spokesman for West London police said: "We can confirm that officers were called at 5.33am on Sunday with reports that a man had fallen from a window at the Hotel Angela.

He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival."

A post mortem examination took place at Fulham Mortuary yesterday and an inquest into the incident is expected to be opened within the next few days.