A family has paid tribute to a great-grandad who died suddenly following heart trouble last week, aged 53.

John Morris, of Fern Gore Avenue, Accrington, was a grandad of 12 and a great-grandad to two-year-old Callum.

He moved to Accrington 13 years ago and lived with his granddaughter Leyla, 16.

Step-daughter Toni, 36, described John (pictured) as ‘one in a million’.

She said: “Not one person has got a bad word to say about him, he’d help anyone he possibly could. He was a really good man and everybody loved him.”

John had a replacement heart valve fitted two years ago and was taking blood thinning medication when he died suddenly on Tuesday, February 4.

Before ill health forced him to finish work, he worked as a factory operative in Bury and had been in the territorial army for many years, serving with the Royal Lancashire Fusiliers, some of whom are expected to attend his funeral.

John, who was dad to Joanne, Kimberley and Jon-Antony and step-dad to Toni, enjoyed spending time on an allotment at Heys in Oswaldtwistle and helped grow vegetables and built a pond there. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren.

His funeral was due to be held on Thursday, February 13 at 2.20pm at Accrington Crematorium. Donations are welcome for the Royal Lancashire Fusiliers.

n See obituaries on page 16.