THE CHIEF executive of the Marsden Building Society, Eddie Shapland, was today found hanged in a storeroom at his home.

Friends and work colleagues immediately expressed shock at the death and the tragic circumstances.

Mr Shapland's body was found at about 6.30am today at his home The Barn, Little Tom's Farm, Little Tom's Lane, Lanehead, Burnley, by his wife, Janet, and daughter, Kay.

He was hanging from a beam in a downstairs store or utility room.

Ambulance and police were called and Mr Shapland was pronounced dead at the scene by police surgeon Dr Zafar Qreshi.

Police began carrying out investigations and Acting Inspector Michael Mulrooney said there were no suspicious circumstances.

The tragedy has been reported to the deputy East Lancashire Coroner Mark Williams and an inquest will be held.

Burnley-born Mr Shapland, 51, was appointed both chief executive and director of the Nelson-based Marsden Building Society just ten years ago. He joined the society in 1980 as assistant general manager and became deputy general manager in 1984.

His career in the building society movement began in 1962 at the former Burnley Building Society after leaving Burnley Grammar School.

He qualified as an associate at the Building Societies' Institute in 1974 and went on to gain a Diploma in Management Studies.

He is a former lecturer in Building Society Management at Lancashire Polytechnic and a former secretary of the North East Lancashire Centre of the Chartered Building Societies' Institute.

He had always been a keen supporter of Burnley Football Club and he listed DIY among his hobbies.

TRIBUTES were paid today as friends and colleagues tried to come to terms with the shock news of Eddie Shapland's death.

Stephen Barnes, Pendle Council chief executive, said: "I'm devastated by the news. Eddie was a leader of a building society noted for its community action, innovation and support for mutuality.

"He was also an important member of Pendle Partnership, playing a full and active role in support of the programme of economic development and help for young people in the borough."

Dennis Mendoros, chairman of the Partnership consortium of private and public organisations, added: "His contribution to the work will be greatly missed. He was very committed to the Partnership right from its beginning."

The news was broken to shocked building society staff at meetings this morning.

Burnley Football Club assistant secretary Cathy Pickup said Turf Moor was saddened to hear the news.

She added: "He did an awful lot for the club and was a great fan."

Mr Shapland worked as a steward at the club for many years. His son Mark is currently chief steward.

THE Marsden Building Society has assets of around £260 million and is the biggest based in Lancashire.

Mr Shapland joined the society in 1980 as assistant manager and played a key part in its development.

A recent league table placed it as the 33rd biggest in the country out of 71 societies.

The Nelson-based society, which has nine branches in East Lancashire, is one of East Lancashire oldest employers stretching back more than 137 years.

The society has long campaigned for improvement of housing in the North West.

It has been seen as a pioneer in building relationships with housing associations in the region in developing a series of housing projects in Lancashire.

It won praise after setting up a subsidiary company, Marsden Home Renovations, to work with Pendle Borough Council to purchase and improve properties on behalf of potential buyers.

The society also hit the headlines when it announced it was taking part in a scheme to help the economies of the former Soviet Union develop banking services.

A staunch defender of its independent status, the Marsden has long argued the benefits of being a mutual society owned by its members.

It raised its minimum opening balances to deter carpetbaggers hoping it would be taken over or be the subject of a merger.

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