Tributes have been paid to a former policeman and popular road safety campaigner who died from cancer, aged 69.



Adrian Shurmer, who was renowned throughout the borough for creating the Shurmer’s Official Guide to Hyndburn and safety guide Mind How Yo Go, died at his home on Sunday, July 1 surrounded by his family.



His wife of 45 years Barbara said his death was an ‘absolute shock’.



Barbara, 67, said: “He has never been ill until he was diagnosed three months ago with terminal cancer.



“He had a great life and did exactly what he wanted. He was a good family man and was very fair and generous.



“We had wonderful weekends away and holidays and we have had a wonderful life together. He was devoted to driver safety awareness and he did that right up until he died.”



Mr Shurmer, of Lyndon Avenue, Great Harwood, worked for over 25 years in the crime intelligence task force in Accrington teaching officers how to drive before setting up his own consultancy business 18 years ago.



The former Great Harwood Independent councillor also worked with academy youngsters at Manchester United for the past eight years and frequently visited schools and workplaces throughout the country with his business Drivers Awareness Ltd.



In 1974 he began compiling a guidebook of Hyndburn featuring a map of all the borough’s streets to help police officers who were new to the area.



The grandfather-of-two was later approached by Hyndburn Council to make the guide official and the red Shurmer’s Official Guide to Hyndburn was born in 1988.



Former Great Harwood councillor Lynn Wilson said he was an ‘absolutely smashing guy’.



She said: “He was very trusting, very frank and I found him spot on with his comments. I shall miss him a great deal.”



Friend John Duckworth, who is chairman of Great Harwood Regeneration Board, said it was a ‘very sad loss’.



He said: “He was a good man. He said what he thought and wasn’t bothered if you liked it or not.”



He leaves wife Barbara, sons David and Simon, daughter-in-law Clair and granddaughters Sophie and Hannah.



A memorial service will take place at Sparth House in Clayton-le-Moors at 1pm on Tuesday, July 10.