A DARWEN weightlifter who was part of a record-breaking team has died following a battle with cancer.

Vincent Crabtree, from the Marsh House area, had been part of the famous Darwen Weightlifting Club which broke the dead-lift team world record in 1981.

The 77-year-old, who inspired his sons Philip, 52, and John, 47, to take up the sport, died on Thursday at the Royal Blackburn Hospital after doctors diagnosed him with throat cancer 18 months ago.

Mr Crabtree, who is survived by his wife Marion, 75, had helped raise thousands of pounds for charity through the Darwen Weightlifting Club.

Philip, who now travels across the area with Darwen Weight-lifting Club, said that his father had started off lifting weights in a scrapyard off The Green, Darwen, more than 50 years ago.

Philip, from Egerton, said: “My dad was full of fun and took weightlifting very, very seriously but didn’t do professional competitions.

“He started off lifting weights in a scrapyard.

"That’s how it started off and then he started doing it for charity.

“He was part of a 10-man deadlift team who broke the world record in 1981.

“He was well known and will be very much missed by everyone.

“My dad was a good man and would do anything for anybody.”

Mr Crabtree also leaves three daughters – Annette, 56, Kathleen, 55, and Beverly, 45.

His funeral takes place on Friday at St Paul’s Church, Hoddlesden.