TRIBUTES have been paid to the chairman of Lancashire teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Brian Booth, who died this week.

Mr Booth collapsed at home in Fulwood, Preston, on Sunday evening after a heart attack.

Tony Curtis, chief executive of the trust, which has overall control of Royal Preston Hospital, said: "Brian was a remarkable man and we are all shocked and saddened by his death.

"His background ensured he played a major part in establishing the hospitals in Chorley and Preston as leading teaching hospitals and worked to make us the pride of the county.

"I am sure I speak on behalf of everyone at the trust when I say that he will be sadly missed."

Leader of Preston City Council, Coun John Collins, added: "I was shocked by the news of Brian's death.

"We were in the same school year at Preston Grammar School. I knew him throughout his time in public life in Preston, he was very influential in the development of Preston and remained a very approachable man throughout."

Mr Booth, 62, chaired the board of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the top rated NHS trusts in the country, having gained the three star rating at the first attempt in 2003.

He was also the founding vice-chancellor of the University of Central Lancashire, formerly Lancashire Polytechnic.

He had strong interests in the prevention of crime and in local justice. He was a director of the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime for six years and a magistrate for 15 years.

He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of the County of Lancashire in 2002 and was rewarded with an OBE in this year's Queen's birthday honours list for services to his local community.

Mr Booth leaves a wife, Barbara, two children, Alison and Sue, and two grandchildren.

His funeral will take place at the Minster Church, Church Street, Preston on Monday, November 1 at 11.45am.