Sir Bobby Charlton has hailed Nat Lofthouse as “a leader” and “a talisman” in tribute to the legendary England centre forward who has died aged 85.

Lofthouse, who scored 30 goals in 33 appearances for England and 255 goals in more than 450 appearances for Bolton between 1946 and 1960, died peacefully in his sleep at his nursing home.

Charlton said: “The first time I ever saw a professional game Nat was playing as a centre-forward and they were talking about him as this youngster who had just burst onto the scene, and he was just fantastic.

“He was a leader, he had fantastic ability in the air, and he was strong, but he was also a talisman.

“I’m really sorry, and anybody in this part of the world will be very sorry, that he isn’t with us any more because he was a fantastic credit to the game.”

Lofthouse was one of the most feared centre-forwards of his generation, renowned for his strength and finishing ability on the ground and in the air.

He became known as the ‘Lion of Vienna’ after a goalscoring, match-winning performance in England’s 3-2 win over a fearsome Austria side in 1952.

The other match for which he was synonymous was the 1958 FA Cup final when he scored twice in Bolton’s 2-0 win over Manchester United, barging goalkeeper Harry Gregg into the net while scoring one of his goals.

He belonged to a golden generation of England players along with the likes of Sir Tom Finney and Sir Stanley Matthews whose time came before the 1966 World Cup success.

“You have to put him in with those two great players. Tommy Finney and Stan Matthews were wingers and outside the influence of the 18-yard box,” added Charlton.

“But Nat Lofthouse, you just put the ball in there at any height and he was so brave. He just scored phenomenal goals in the air.

“He was a great player without any question.

“In his day if you were a centre-forward you had to do more than score goals; you had to lead and you had to be tough.

“In those days football was a hard, tough game. It wasn’t like today where they glorify everything.

“The pitches were bad, the ball was heavy, the equipment was awful, but he loved the game of football, and he was ever so proud to be a part of it.”

Bolton chairman Phil Gartside added: “Nat undoubtedly is a Bolton Wanderers legend. He was a one-club man and our football club meant as much to him as he did to us.

“We will miss him, but we will celebrate his life.”