Matt Evans, 47, was programme manager at The Grand arts centre in Clitheroe and was founder and promoter of the Cloudspotting music festival in the Ribble Valley.

Manager at The Grand Steven Lancaster said on the organisation’s website: “We are all in shock and sadness at the untimely loss of Matt, our dear friend and colleague of many years. It feels incomprehensible.

“Our hearts are left broken and our deepest sympathy goes out to Matt’s loving wife Judy, his two boys Roscoe and Marlon, and the rest of his family.

“Matt lived and breathed his life at The Grand, and life will never be the same without him.”

He grew up in Whalley and attended Clitheroe Royal Grammar School before joining the East Lancs Newspaper group after leaving sixth form, working as a reporter for the Burnley Express and Clitheroe Advertiser.

From there, he promoted gigs and club nights at places such as C’est La Vie in Blackburn and the Lodestar in Ribchester.

Matt joined the Grand in 2009 after living and working in Sheffield where he was a successful club promoter.

He was pivotal in growing audience numbers at the Ribble Valley venue and developing the programme to include a wide array of artists.

He was also the driving force behind the ‘micro’ music festival Cloudspotting, the 10th anniversary running of which came to Gisburn Forest in July.

Hundreds of tributes have been posted on Burnley FC fans’ message boards to the Clarets supporter, who also had his own show on Ribble FM.