TRIBUTES have been paid to a world record weightlifter from Darwen.

Luigi Staffa, 78, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on Barrie Ontario, Canada, last Sunday and was well-known as one of the founding members of Darwen Weightlifting Club.

Originally from Italy, Luigi moved to England as a 15-year-old with his family and in a cottage in Pickup Bank on the outskirts of the town.

Daughter Sonia said: "Being from Italy he loved hills and Darwen was great as he would go on runs up Darwen Tower twice a week and also on the hills."

He worked as a general assistant at Shaw's Factory in Waterside, Hoddlesden, but he was fondly remembered as a roof tiler doing jobs across the North West.

Sonia said: "He was the consummate professional and everyone gave him good reviews on every job he did.

"Dad was very well known in the area especially being part of the weightlifting club.

"He was there when they started on The Green in Darwen in a cellar with limited equipment then they moved to Everton Street.

“Weightlifting was his life and he could lift 100lbs in each hand over his head.

“He just loved working with the young ones and helping them.

"He used to do exhibitions at the Darwen Gala every August.”

Sonia recalled some of his finest moments, she said: "In 1981, there were 10 guys from the club who wanted to try a Guinness World Record which had been set by some Americans to do the world dead lift of 2,650,827lbs.

"The Darwen group did in half the time of the 24-hour challenge.

"They reached an amazing total of 4,604,153.75lbs in the challenge time.

"Also one of his fondest memories was meeting and shaking hands with Arnold Schwarzenegger who also was a weightlifter at the time."

Luigi leaves his wife Norma, children Sonia and Debra, along with son-in-laws Dave and Dwight, and grand-daughters Dayna and Drue.

Sonia has been receiving support from friends since he died.

She said: "We have had lots of messages saying he was a great man and always had a smile on his face.

"They have told us he was a very humble man and it is amazing for us to hear all the people who knew him over the years and what they thought of him."