A BLACKBURN pub raised £1,300 in memory of a staff member who died earlier this year.

Friends and colleagues at The Rising Sun pub in Whalley New Road started the collection for Stephen Shaw, who passed away in March.

Mr Shaw, who lived in Langho, was diagnosed with cancer and died just six weeks later.

He spent six days in East Lancashire Hospice before he died, aged 52.

Leaseholders Geoff and Jean Sutcliffe who have been at the Rising Sun for 15 years held a collection for the hospice in memory of Stephen, who worked there for 14 years.

Mr Sutcliffe said: “Stephen was a very popular man so we hoped to raise a good amount for the hospice as a way of saying thank you for the care he received when he was there.

“His illness was so sudden it was a shock to us all, and we’re glad to hand over this money to the hospice and for something positive to come from Stephen’s death.”