A FORMER Burnley FC youth player and popular character in the town has died in Spain just a few days after moving abroad to start a new life.

Frank Holmes, 55, formerly of Valley Gardens in Burnley, suffered a heart attack last week after moving to Spain with his new wife, Sylvia.

His friends and former work colleagues will hold an event in his memory at the Rosegrove Working Men's Club, where he was a regular customer.

Frank worked at Michelin for 33 years as a tyre maker, finisher and as a loader but originally moved down to Burnley from Scotland at the age of 15 to join the ranks of Burnley FC.

Bob McLean, secretary of the club's committee, paid tribute to Frank who he had known for more than 33 years as a work colleague.

He said: "It was a big shock when I heard what had happened and it seems even worse in a way because he was just about to start a new life in Spain.

"He was moving for 12 months on a lease with the option to buy the property so he had gone out there with his wife to try out the house.

"It was only a few days later that he died. He only got married about five or six months ago and retired last year when Michelin closed.

"His relatives from Scotland are coming down for the event, which we are hoping to arrange for sometime in March, as well as people from Michelin and the football club and others who knew him. The cremation was so quick no-one had the chance to go.

"I have heard that his wife has decided to come back to Britain in March because she obviously doesn't want to stay out there on her own."

"A lot of people knew Frank. He would do anything for you. He had a bit of a fiery temper but he was a great person. He was an avid Rangers and Scotland supporter and still true to his roots."

A cremation service was held in Spain last week. The date for the memorial at Rosegrove WMC is to be confirmed.