Tributes have been paid to a ‘happy-go-lucky’ man who passed away suddenly at home.

Gary Cattle, 53, was found dead in the living room of his house on Countess Street in Accrington on Sunday, March 6.

He was last heard from on Wednesday, March 2, when he called in sick for work and friends became concerned when he later failed to attend a funeral on Friday and were unable to contact him.

Police were called to his home after he failed to answer and forced entry.

His family said his death came as a ‘great shock’ and believe his death could be related to his diabetes. A post-mortem examination was due to be held this week.

His brother Stephen Cattle said: “We are not sure if it was Wednesday when he passed away. It could have been any time from then to Sunday.

“It’s a big shock to everybody. He was well-known in Accrington. Everywhere we have been into people have commented about the type of person he was.

“He just knew everybody and was a very sociable person.”

Gary was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and moved to Accrington aged nine and studied at Hollins school.

He later worked as an engineer at Solomon Commercials Ltd in Haslingden for around 30 years.

Stephen, 57, from Newchurch, Rossendale, said: “His work colleagues are devastated. I have been round there and because it’s so sudden they are all shocked.

“They are all getting on to me and want me to tell them what happened to him. We will know more once we get the post mortem results.”

Stephen, who is a postman, said his brother ‘lived the life he wanted to live and made everybody around him feel good’.

He said: “He had a great sense of humour. He was a mad Blackburn Rovers fan. He had loads of Burnley friends as well so they had great banter between them and a great rivalry but they were the best of mates as well. It never went silly or anything.

“He was always great fun. Whenever you were with him it was a good time and was positive.

“You would come away and think I’ve had a good time and part of it was because he was extrovert.

“When I used to walk around Accrington with him he never stopped saying hello to people or people were shouting at him. That’s the type of guy he was. He was well known in the public houses and the Stanley Club.

“He was a big family man. When he lost his mum and dad he never quite recovered.”