A FORMER Atherton schoolteacher died after he suffered a massive heart attack while swimming.

It was first thought that Stephen Langin, who taught art at St Mary's RC High in Astley, had drowned in the pool at Howe Bridge sports centre when he had an epileptic fit.

A post-mortem on Monday revealed the 47-year-old, of Flapper Fold Lane, had suffered a heart attack and would have died instantly.

His family said they were devastated at the sudden death of the father-of-two.

A member of the family said: "Everyone is still very shocked about what has happened."

Stephen had battled against epilepsy for a long time and the condition was so bad he had stopped working at St Mary's several years ago.

His family was shocked to hear he died of a heart attack because he kept himself very fit. He swam frequently and had completed a cycling trip around Ireland. He kept busy and spent a lot of his spare time wood carving.

His wife, Bernie, a teacher at Sacred Heart RC Primary school in Atherton, is being comforted at her home by her two sons, Andrew, 17, a sixth form student at St Mary's RC High, in Astley, and 19-year-old John, who is a mechanic.

Stephen's funeral will be held this Friday at Sacred Heart Church, Tyldesley Road, Hindsford, starting at 2pm, followed by committal at Howe Bridge Crematorium at 3pm.

A spokesman for Howe Bridge sports centre sent his condolences to the family.

He added: "It was also a traumatic experience for members of staff down at Howe Bridge who did everything they could under difficult circumstances."