Tributes have been paid to a beloved train conductor who died after a battle with Covid-19.

Richard McTigue died aged 50 this week after fighting coronavirus in Furness General Hospital which later developed into sepsis.

Born and raised on Walney Island, Mr McTigue leaves behind his wife Cath, 55, and son Daniel, 15.

"He was such a beautiful person," Mrs McTigue said. "Kind, loyal and dedicated.

"He was the most wonderful husband and father to Daniel.

"I am just going to miss him so much.

"He was intelligent, funny and just an all-round lovely person.

"Everyone who knew him expressed how much they will miss him."

She said he was a, popular active person who would go kayaking, cycling, walking and just enjoyed being out in the fresh air.

Mr McTigue was also known for always looking his best and was once mistaken for the owner of a National Trust site because of his attire.

He was a governor of St Columba's Catholic Primary School, a place he attended as a boy, who paid tribute to him and said he was a 'loyal and dedicated friend' and that their thoughts were with the family. The sentiment was echoed by St Pius X Catholic Primary School.

"I just loved the way that he fought the virus and how he was really determined during his time in intensive care," Mrs McTigue added.

"I want to say thank you to all the doctors and nurses who looked after him, including Dr Chris Hill."

She also thanked everyone who has sent cards, flowers and well wishes.

The Biggar Bank resident was well-known among his peers at the train station, where he mainly worked on the Barrow to Manchester Airport line.

He was a conductor for more than a decade after leaving his job as a mortgage advisor at Halifax bank.

The job was one he loved because of the social interaction it brought with it, his wife said.

She also mentioned how he enjoyed working with all of his colleagues, who had many kind words to say about him.

One of those colleagues was Councillor Steve Nott.

He said: "He was a really popular member of staff and nobody could have a bad word to say about him.

"He was a man of great information and always had little tales to tell; he was a really good bloke at the depot.

"He always exuded positivity so this is tragic news and is a blow to everyone who worked with him.

"My thoughts are with his close friends and family members, to his wife and to his son.

"It is just a tragic loss and he will be missed."