NEIGHBOURS of a man who died while clearing glass from a street after his car had been vandalised have paid tribute to him.

Stephen Clayton, 58, was one of six victims of vandalism to vehicles in Brierfield.

He was boarding up the windscreen when he collapsed outside his home in Bird Street.

A neighbour attempted to resuscitate him before paramedics arrived and gave him CPR but he died on the way to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Police said they were not treating his death as suspicious and have reported the death to the coroner.

Two 16-year-old boys had been charged with criminal damage, police said.

One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: “Mr Clayton was lying on the floor and a young girl was giving him CPR. Other people were looking on.

“I suppose everyone feels helpless in these situations.

“An ambulance came quite soon after and a male paramedic took over trying to bring him back to life.”

An elderly female resident commended Mr Clayton’s kind and helpful nature. She said: “He was a caring soul and I’m sure he will be missed.

“I was once shut in my garden by my gate which had become jammed.

“I’d never spoken to him before, but I saw him come out of his house and called over to him.

“He immediately came across and took a look at it, fetching his tools to fix it so I could get out. It was very nice of him to do that for me.”

DI Jim Elston, from Pennine Division, said: “At 6.30pm on Tuesday, February 12, officers were deployed to Bird Street to reports that two cars had had their windows smashed.

“An hour later, officers returned to Bird Street following reports that a man had collapsed whilst cleaning the glass from the street.

“He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital but unfortunately died on route. His death is not being treated as suspicious but police are investigating the circumstances and will be reporting to the coroner.

“Police are also investigating other incidents of criminal damage on a car and garage in the Birtwistle Close, Walter Street, and Heyhead Street areas, and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incidents to come forward.

“It is not known whether theses cases are linked but people should call us on 101 if they have information that could assist us.”