TRIBUTES have been paid to a dad-of-two who died while fishing at a Burnley lake.

Jon Andrews, 49, has been described as a ‘lovely man who loved life’ by his wife Beverley, who has said the whole family had been left devastated by his sudden death.

Mr Andrews, of Deerstone Avenue, had been out fishing all day when his family became concerned that he had not returned home by 10pm and went to Rowley Lake to look for him.

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At around 11pm, Mr Andrews’ nephew Jordan, 20, called out to say he had found his uncle, who had collapsed next to the water. The couple’s son Josh, 18, called an ambulance, but paramedics were unable to revive Mr Andrews.

A police spokesman said they were not treating the death as suspicious.

Mrs Andrews, 48, who had been married to Mr Andrews for 23 years, said she and their children Tasmin, 20, and Josh, 18, were distraught.

She said: “We’ve no idea what happened and we are just so shocked.

“He loved life and loved his family. He was a lovely man.”

Tributes to Mr Andrews, an engineer at Callender Aeropart Ltd at Altham Industrial Estate, were posted on social media.

Mandy Mason wrote on Facebook: “Lovely man, sadly missed.”

Rita Anne Houghton said: “What a lovely man. It was exactly a year ago this week we met Jon. When you came to ours and we had a good laugh. We will keep you in our prayers.”

Phil Dewhurst said: “Jon was one of the nicest guys I've ever met.”

Tracey Anne Latham said: “Doesn't seem real.”

John Beattie said: “RIP my friend, sorry.”

James Cummings said: “I’m so sorry to hear this.”

Mr Andrews also leaves his brother Francis, his brothers-in-law Paul, Robert, John, sister-in-law Michelle, parents-in-law Derek and Jenny.

His funeral service will be held today at Burnley Crematorium at 1.40pm followed by a function at Rosegrove Unity Club. Family flowers only, and donations in memory of Mr Andrews can be made to Rowley Lake.

East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor opened and adjourned an inquest until October 7.