A FORMER Hyndburn Council finance director died on the way to church.

Ronald Shuker, of the Coppice, Clayton-le-Moors, collapsed as he and his wife Dorothy made their weekly trip to St Wulstan's Church, Great Harwood.

Mr Shuker, 59, is believed to have suffered a heart attack, although a post mortem examination has yet to establish the cause of death.

Mr Shuker had three grown-up children, Martin, Nigel and Denise. He also leaves two grandchildren, Elspeth and Rachel.

Today, Mrs Shuker said: "The last week has been unbearable. He was such an active man."

"You don't expect to go to church and return an hour later a widow.

"Fortunatley, our friends have been wonderful and his colleagues from Hyndburn Council haven't stopped ringing but it has been the most stressful time imaginable."

Mr Shuker had worked in local government all his life and first arrived in Accrington in 1968, working his way up to director of finance and retiring in 1995.

A spokesman for Hyndburn Council said: "Everyone who knew him is in shock.

"He was an outstanding colleague and someone you could always rely on to help you out or give advice.

"He was a popular person to work with and we would like to extend our sympathies and thoughts to his family at this tragic time."