A COMMUNITY was in shock today after a popular Clitheroe businessman died suddenly in his sleep.

Garage owner and father-of-two Ian Capstick, 47, was discovered by his young son at his home in Townfield Avenue, Brownside, Burnley, at shortly after 7am on Wednesday.

The alarm was raised and police and paramedics were called to the house.

Mr Capstick was married to Karen and the couple had two children, an eight-year-old boy and a four-year-old girl, both pupils at Worsthorne Primary School.

Chairman of Governors Tony Lambert said everyone in the area was shocked to learn of the death.

He said: "Ian and Karen were both at the school parents' evening on Tuesday and everything seemed perfectly normal. He was chatting away and there didn't seem to be anything wrong and the next thing we know is that he has gone home to bed and simply not woken up.

"It has come as a tremendous shock to everyone, especially as he was only a relatively young man. Karen, under-standably, is absolutely devastated and our thoughts are with her and the two children.

"I was at the school yesterday morning and everyone there is in shock. The children were all writing letters of sympathy to the family."

Mr Capstick was the owner of Clitheroe Exhausts, Albion Court, Waterloo Road, Clitheroe.

Nobody was available for comment at the garage yesterday.

Mrs Capstick was being comforted at home by relatives.

East Lancashire Coroner Richard Taylor has been informed of the death and a post mortem examination was due to be carried out today.

Coroner's Officer PC Bob Wilson said the death was not being treated as suspicious and it is believed Mr Capstick died in his sleep .