Boots Blackburn death: Tributes to busker Andrew Davie

Thirty-nine year-old Andrew Davie had become a well-known figure on the town's streets, playing a ukelele or recorder.

But the father-of-one, who was originally from Scotland, was found collapsed outside Boots, on the Townsmoor Retail Park, just before 7am on Saturday, by maintenance worker Anthony Judson.

He had been stopping at the Salvation Army hostel, in Heaton Street, before a dispute with the management led to him living on the streets.

His friend Anthony Scott, 48, said: "He was my street brother and had a heart of gold.

"I'd known him for nearly 20 years after we first met up in Bristol.

"He was brilliant, a really outgoing guy and someone who was really into his music."

Known as Scottish Andy to others, he could often be seen playing reels and jigs, including Danny Boy, Amazing Grace and Wild Rover, on Higher Church Street or outside the Nationwide on King William Street.

"He had his ukelele and he loved to perform but he wasn't always that good," added Anthony, who also said his friend had a daughter.

"I'd seen him the night before he died and he was telling me he felt like he was dying but I didn't think anything more about it."

His tendency to fall asleep had led to him being given a criminal behaviour order by Blackpool magistrates. This court order landed him in trouble in Blackburn earlier this year when police found he had dozed off in the street.

Another friend, Paul Martin, added: "It is a really tragedy and such a cruel end for anyone. I've got somewhere to go at night but you do get people living rough, behind the shops.

"It's become even worse since they introduced universal credit. If your benefits are stopped then they can stay suspended for three months."

Mr Judson, who made several attempts to rouse him, said that when he found Mr Davie he had gloves on and appeared to be exposed to the elements.

A police spokesman has previously confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a file has been passed to the coroner. An inquest is expected to be opened later.

Flowers were left outside Boots on Sunday morning by staff from the nearby Costa and other well-wishers.