FRIENDS and colleagues of 'Mr Burnley Wood' Brian Fenn have paid tribute to the community champion who has died, aged 66.

Brian, chairman of Burnley Wood Action Group, had been ill and in hospital for about six weeks and died in the early hours of Sunday.

Burnley Wood Action Group was set up in 2003 to increase community participation, kick start community projects and activities, promote and encourage community cohesion and deliver improvements in health, crime, employment, housing and education.

Brian worked with colleagues Lynn Fogarty, secretary of the group, and treasurer Tony Watson.

Tony said: "I worked with Brian for a few years and I knew him as a colleague and a friend for many more.

"Everyone is going to miss him hugely. He really was Mr Burnley Wood."

Mike Waite, head of Community Engagement and Cohesion at Burnley Council, said: "Brian was involved in many areas of activity and was always working hard for his community.

"His death is a big loss to the community both in Burnley Wood and in Burnley as a whole."

Det Insp Vikki Crorken, of Burnley police, said Brian and his group had done a huge amount of work with the police in the Burnley Wood area.

She added: "Brian has always been very supportive of the police and worked closely with the local community beat manager John Fisher and Police Community Support Officer Bill Ogden in the Burnley Wood area.

"He was very well respected by the community and the police and he will be greatly missed.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time."

Brian, of Hufling Court, leaves three daughters and a son.