A LOCAL athlete who battled his way back from hip replacement surgery to run the London Marathon, died suddenly last week.

Darwen Dasher Bill Cook, who was 65, lived for his sport and now his family have decided that he will be cremated wearing his Dashers vest and his running shoes.

Bill never missed his Thursday night runs with the club and in a recent edition of the club magazine, committee member Mick Heath said Bill was his inspiration.

Mick said: "Bill showed us how to live life absolutely to the full, he was excellent company socially and a good friend and companion."

In his youth, he played for Blackburn Rovers reserves and was a contemporary of Ewood legends Ronnie Clayton and Roy Vernon.

He started running as a PTI in the army, but gave up before starting again about 10 years ago with the Darwen Club.

Three years ago, he had a hip replaced and was advised to stop running - advice he ignored to complete the 2001 London Marathon in 4 hours 31 minutes.

He had secured a place in this year's race and was busy raising sponsorship for Derian House. Now his friends are hoping that one of his club mates, possibly Dave Naughton, will be allowed to compete in his place.

He had recently been running well, winning his age group in the Accrington 10K in October and as part of his marathon build-up he had been due to run the Blackburn Winter Warmer 10K last Sunday. Before the start, the athletes paid tribute with a minute silence in his honour.

His other passion was horse racing, and Darwen Dashers will be celebrating his life with a horse racing night on Thursday March 6 at the Liberal Club, Hollins Grove. Proceeds will be donated to Derian House.

Bill was a partner in an asphalt contracting business and he leaves a wife Olga, sister Sheila and daughter Amanda. He had a grandson Sam and two grand-daughters, Laura and Alice.

His funeral will take place at St Johns, Baxenden on Friday and his family is extending an open invitation to all his friends to attend.