THE families of two men who died after taking a super-strength batch of heroin have paid tribute to them.

Emlyn Hodgkinson, 36, and Zaheer Chaudhry, 32, were found dead at their homes in Colne, and Nelson, within 45 minutes of each other at the weekend.

Police have launched a major probe after a third man was found dead from a suspected heroin overdose in Burnley on the same night.

Detectives fear the trio may have taken a super-strong batch of the Class A drug.

Mr Chaudhry’s partner, Linda Parkinson, said the former Walton High School pupil, who lived in Eagle Street, was her ‘true love’.

Miss Parkinson, 34, who met Mr Chaudhry three years ago, described him as the ‘best dad’ to step-daughter Anyela, five.

She said: “Zaheer used to pick her up from school. He was such a good guy.”

Mr Chaudhry was an out-of-work builder, who liked listening to soul music. He and Miss Parkinson had planned to get married and start a family.

Although Mr Chaudhry took heroin before the pair met, Miss Parkinson said that in recent years he had been ‘clean’.

Similarly, the family of Mr Hodgkinson, found dead at home in Oak Street, said he had dabbled with drugs in the past, but was not an addict.

His step-father, Gordon Gaught, 56, who lives with Mr Hodgkinson’s mother, Christine, 67, in Pennine Crescent, Brierfield, described him as a ‘likeable lad’. However, the death of his father, Derek, when he was 12 had a ‘profound effect’ on him, he said.

The former Edge End High pupil, known to friends as ‘Chocky’, had worked at Clarkson’s Textiles, at Lomeshaye, Nelson, for 11 years.

But Mr Gaught said his happiest times were when he was travelling in Israel and South Africa. He said: “He was sharp-witted and always seemed bubbly and optimistic. Happy-go-lucky is probably the best way to describe him.

“He used to come for a meal every week and we’d go out, or watch TV together. We’re trying to come to terms with his death, but it’s desperate.”

Mr Hodgkinson’s funeral takes place at Burnley Crematorium at 1.30pm on Monday.

Mr Chaudry’s funeral was held at the Makarzi Jamia Ghousi Mosque, in Clayton Street, Nelson, yesterday.