A CLOSE colleague and friend of building society boss Eddie Shapland who was found dead at his East Lancashire home said he could offer no explanation for the tragedy.

Martin Mulligan, operations general manager at Nelson-based Marsden Building Society where Mr Shapland was chief executive, said: "I can't offer any comment on this at all. It's come like a bolt out of the blue.

"Everyone is still stunned and saddened by the news."

It appeared Mr Shapland, who was found by his wife Janet hanging from a beam at their home at The Barn, Little Tom's Farm, Lanehead, Burnley, yesterday did not leave a note.

Mr Mulligan said: "He was a trusted colleague and will be sadly missed. I worked with him since he joined the society.

"He was very highly thought of inside and outside the organisation.

"I never heard a word said against him which was a measure of the man."

Heartfelt tributes continue to pour in for Mr Shapland. Frank Teasdale, chairman of Burnley FC where Mr Shapland was a steward for many years, said: "Along with Marsden Building Society Eddie was a great supporter of Burnley FC and all the club will sadly miss him.

"He was without doubt a gentleman in every sense of the word and on behalf of the directors, players and staff I extend out deepest sympathy to his family at the great loss they have sustained." Pendle MP Gordon Prentice said: "I was stunned when I heard the news.

"Eddie had the interests of the area very close to his heart. I had very many discussions with him about what he would like to see done to the area to make it a much better place to live.

"He wanted the Marsden to be a local building society.

"He was always full of ideas and the Marsden was a very successful building society.

"He more than played his part and it will be a tremendous loss to the area."

Burnley MP, Peter Pike, commented: "The first thing I want to say is to express my deepest sympathy to his family who must be deeply shaken at this tragic time.'' Mr Pike said he had worked closely with Mr Shapland on a number of housing and building society issues over a long number of years and had always regarded him as a good friend.

The MP added: "He was very well respected nationally in housing and building society fields where, of course, he was very much committed to keeping building societies as building societies.''

He was also involved at Burnley and Pendle Council with local housing issues.

He added: "I know he submitted views on these issues both to the last government and to the present government.''

Mr Pike added: "I am still trying to come to terms with what has happened. This is a great tragedy.''

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.