Mr Kevin Donaghey, known as "Tiny" and originally from Northern Ireland, died on Tuesday in Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

He was taken ill around 7 p.m. on Monday and is believed to have suffered a heart attack.

An ambulance was called to his home in Paythorne Avenue, Brunshaw, and he was rushed first to the Royal Blackburn Hospital and then Blackpool Victoria Hospital where he died.

Detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding Mr Donaghey's death but Det. Sgt Vinny DeCurtis, of Burnley CID, said they were "keeping an open mind".

"What we are doing is looking to see whether he had taken something which may have contributed to his death. He did have medical problems and did have some kind of diabetes.

"We are looking at this from all angles. At the moment nothing is jumping out. Hopefully we'll be able to shed some light on it in the next week or so."

East Lancashire coroner Mr Richard Taylor has been informed and a post-mortem examination to find out how Mr Donaghey died iwas to take place yesterday.