A MINUTE'S silence has been planned for teams competing in the Orphanage Cup this week as a tribute to Peter Bush who sadly died on Sunday morning.

The former competition secretary and fixture secretary, known to many as Mr Orphanage Cup' passed away after losing his long battle against ill health.

Peter, who retired last year due to health problems after nearly 30 years of service to the competition, had been at the forefront of the Orphanage Cup for the best part of three decades.

As well as running the competition, organising referees and having a hands-on' role on match days, Peter was also heavily involved in raising funds for the Blackburn Orphanage and later Child Action North West.

He also helped run a golf competition under the Orphanage Cup banner.

Tommy Tatham, the new Orphanage Cup secretary and Peter's son-in-law, said: "I've lost a friend, colleague and member of the family. We are all devastated. Peter had been ill for quite some time but in the end, thankfully it was quick and peaceful.

"Peter has been the dynamics behind the Orphanage Cup for such a long time and he is the main reason why it has been so successful for so many years. His lost in going to be immense for everyone who knew and the Orphanage Cup which meant so much to him.

"He was basically Mr Orphanage Cup."

In 2005, Peter was presented with a special award for services to local sport at the annual Blackburn and District Sports Council awards. And only last month, Child Action North West honoured him for his services to the Orphanage Cup.

Tommy added: "Running the competition without Peter around is going to be so much harder but we will all do our best in his memory."

John Tempest, director Child Action North West, said it was hard to put a figure on how much Peter has helped raise for the charity over the years but said is exceeded more than £60,000.

He said: "He has helped to raise vital funds for us which myself and my fellow trustees appreciate and are very grateful.

"The Orphanage Cup is a team effort but Peter was the man behind it all. In the time I have known Peter, his hard work, dedication and commitment has stood out.

He basically was the Orphanage Cup.

"It goes without saying that Peter will be greatly missed and is a sad loss to the competition. His support to our organisation has been immense over the years and that is something I will always remember."

Peter is survived by wife Janet and five children Phillip, Gary, Carol, Jackie and Tracy.