FAMILY and friends of a man who died from a sudden heart attack have raised £600 in his memory.

Ratilal Thakrar, who died on May 2, aged 68, had three children and two grandchildren, Ryan, aged four, and Amielle, aged 10 months.

His death came as a shock to his family because he had been fit and well and enjoyed walking. His son, Tesh, who runs a newsagents on Castle Street, Bolton, handed the cheque to staff at the Royal Bolton Hospital's Coronary Care Unit.

He said: "My father's death was so sudden and totally unexpected.

"We decided to ask for donations instead of flowers because we wanted everything to go to the unit. We have 12 days of mourning and many friends and neighbours have popped in with donations.

"My father was in the unit for five nights and I stayed with him every single night in the guest room. I couldn't believe how good the facilities were. The whole place is unbelievable and, even though my father died, we hope this money will help stop this happening to someone else."