TRIBUTES have been paid to a former pub landlord who lost his brave battle to cancer.

Family man Graham Ashworth ran The Fleece Pub, Accrington Road, Burnley, for more than 10 years with his wife Christine.

While a publican he was treasurer of Burnley and District Licensed Victuallers Association and continued in the role after leaving the licensed trade.

Former LVA chairman Les Harrison, landlord of the Coal Clough pub, said: "He was one of the nicest people I have ever met. It was most unusual for someone to continue as treasurer after leaving the trade.

"On a personal note, if you needed a hand he was always there to help and he will be very sadly missed."

For many years Graham was treasurer and organiser of the local pub darts league and Harold Bowers, from Burnley and District Darts League, said: "No-one ever had a bad word for him. All of the members of the darts league will miss him. We have ordered a wreath in the shape of a dart board for his funeral."

Graham, 51, died, surrounded by his family, at his home in Elmwood Street, Burnley, on Sunday.

He contracted pneumonia and it was while he was being treated at Burnley General Hospital lung cancer was diagnosed. He was treated in Burnley and at Christie Hospital, Manchester, but although the lung cancer went into remission it spread to his brain.

Graham leaves his wife and children Barry, Gareth, Lynsey and Tracy, and grandchildren Amy and Liam. Tracy is expecting in November and she found out she was going to have a daughter so she could tell her father.

He was a big fan of Oasis and he will be dressed in a suit and glasses like Liam Gallagher for the funeral tomorrow at Burnley Crematorium at 11am. After the service friends are invited to join the family at the Coal Clough pub.

There will be flowers and donations can also be made to Macmillan Nurses, care of funeral director Greenwoods, Cemetery Lane, Burnley.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.