TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular farmer and grandfather-of-nine who died suddenly after suffering a heart attack at home on Sunday.

David Sunter, 60, of Hecknest Farm in Worsthorne, has been described as a ‘real character’ by the owner of the Crooked Billet, in Worsthorne, who had known him for 30 years.

Alison Leigh said of the father-of-three: “It came as a real shock. He hadn’t had any previous heart condition that we know of.

“He was a people person and was very popular. Everybody liked and respected him.

“We’ve a big farming community here and he was well-known through his work and socialising in the pubs.

“His wife Janet works at the Crooked Billet and Worsthorne Club and he used to come in for a few drinks while she was here. She loved him dearly and is devastated.”