A DEVOTED dad-of-three has lost his a long battle against brain cancer.

Chartered accountant Ian Grant, 48, of Helmshore, was first diagnosed with the disease 13 years ago.

His parents Christine and Alan Grant, of Meadow Park, in Irwell Vale, said Ian always had a smile for his friends and family, despite living apart from his children while fighting the illness.

Mrs Grant, a retired lecturer, said: “Ian was vivacious.

“When he was a teenager, Ian and his friends were always at our house tinkering with his car.

“He loved cycling and running. He was always active before he became ill.

“He had such an active mind and was passionate about geology, chess, cars and music too.

“He won awards in chess from being in primary school which we’ve still got.”

After attending Haslingden High School, Ian went to Liverpool University before moving to Jersey for work and starting a family with his wife Helen, now a company director.

But after travelling back to Royal Preston Hospital to undergo brain surgery soon after being diagnosed, the couple separated and Ian moved back to Helmshore alone.

Ian chose to live independently though his sight and mobility were impaired, with his parents helping him when he went out.

Ian’s children Callum, 19, Declan, 16, and Phoebe, 13, used to visit him in the Valley for school holidays.

“He loved spending time with his children. He shared all his interests with them. He taught them to play chess and Declan is now very at it good too.

“They lived a charmed life in Jersey. He never said ‘why me?’ after becoming ill.

“He was a vibrant character, from being a little boy he was playful and always had a smile.”

A celebration of his life will take place at Irwell Vale Methodist Church tomorrow at 11.15am. The family have asked that nobody wears black or bring flowers. Donations can be made to Cancer Research UK or Macmillan Nurses.