TRIBUTES have been paid to a bandsman who died suddenly at the weekend.

Graeme Salt, 45, was involved in Whitworth and Healey Brass Band his whole life.

Band members spoke of their shock upon learning of former Whitworth High School pupil Graeme’s death on Sunday morning.

A pub quiz due to take place that evening in the band’s club on Market St-reet, where Graeme was once president, was cancelled as a mark of respect.

Former bandmaster Dave Tattersall, who was a friend of Graeme’s for more than 30 years, said he had appeared fit and healthy at band practice just three days earlier.

Current bandmaster Richard Milton said everyone in the band and the club was devastated by the news.

He said: “Sunday afternoons won’t be the same without him. A group of us gathered on Sunday to talk about our memories of Graeme. He was a terrific person.”

A self-employed electrician, Burnley FC fan Gr-aeme, from Tonacliffe Road, became involved with the band as an 11-year-old playing cornet, performing in concerts throughout Rossendale.

In a statement on social networking site Facebook , the band offered its sym-pathy to Graeme’s partner Diane Birchall and his 18-year-old son George.

It said: “It’s with great sadness that we learn that Graeme Salt has passed away. ‘Salty’, as he was affectionately known, was an extremely popular and well-loved character.

“He had been involved with the club since he was a boy, playing cornet in the band, and latterly as an active committee member and club president.

“Our thoughts are with his family and in particular Diane and George. R.I.P Salty.”

Band secretary Michael Whitby said: “Graeme was somebody that everyone had a laugh with. He dedicated more than 30 years to the band.”