HEARTFELT tributes and generous donations have poured in to celebrate the life of a popular family man who died earlier this year.

Ian Smith, or "Smiggy" as he was known to teammates at Salthouse Bowling Club, died from a heart attack in August while out with his wife Debbie.

More than 250 guests turned up on September 2 to pay their respects to the former green keeper and captain, and they donated more than £700 to his beloved club.

Mrs Smith, 48, said: "People just can't believe it, we are absolutely floored by it.

"He was in good health and there was nothing leading up to it.

"I am so overwhelmed with all the support.

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" I can't thank everyone enough, I have received 150 sympathy cards and flowers and the tributes have been amazing - he was just such a good guy and I think it has knocked a lot of his friends."

The pair had been together for 25 years and they married almost 15 years ago.

"It is nice that people can be remembered and the cards have been really comforting and made me realise how special he was to other people," Mrs Smith added.

Mr Smith was a well-known figure across the area, a passionate bowler and a taxi driver of more than 30 years.

Guests donned red and white attire for the funeral, paying homage to the father-of-five's love of Liverpool FC. Mr Smith's eldest son Stephen organised for white doves to be released.

Mrs Smith, of Marsden Street, Barrow, said: "More than 250 people came, it was packed.

"People were told to move along and squash in and we had a bit of a giggle because Ian would have loved that."

In a tribute to "Smiggy", club vice-chairman Ken Howarth said his friend had been "instrumental in a monumental way" and described how he transformed the green at Salthouse.

"You will be missed Smiggy, but you have left behind a great legacy," he added.

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