A RENOWNED bookseller, whose shop was an Aladdin’s cave of works, has died at the age of 69.

Victor Collinge’s collections and knowledge of everything from comics to antiquarian books and sporting works brought hundreds of cust-omers into his shop in Todmorden.

Border Books was also a well-known repository for Clarets and cricketing books.

He was known to travel out to Accrington Stanley, Rochdale and Oldham if there was no game at Turf Moor, and he was also an avid follower of Bacup Cricket Club.

His wife Carole, 63, of Meadows Avenue, Bacup, said: “The number of cards we have received has been enormous and tells us that he was so well-liked. He was a real gentle-man.”

Victor, who first opened his Halifax Road shop in 1980, died suddenly on New Year’s Day. He also leaves sons Richard, 36, a web developer, and motor-cycle instructor Tom, 34.

His funeral will take place on Monday at Bacup’s Central Methodist Church, at 10.45am, followed by interment at Burnley Crematorium at noon. The cortege will pass Turf Moor en-route to the crematorium. His wake will be held at Bacup CC, Lanehead Lane,.

Longstanding friend and fellow bookseller George Kelsall, who runs his own store in Littleborough, said: “He was very well-respected in the book trade, especially as a major British comic book dealer, for his knowledge on cricket books, and as a regular exhibitor at antiquarian book fairs.

“He had a great sense of humour and would go out of his way to help people look for books.”

Family flowers only are being requested at the funeral, but donations can be made to the North West Air Ambulance.