THE father of a man who collapsed and died while chasing a gang of nuisance youths today paid tribute to "the best son anybody could ask for".

Andrew Whitham, 32, died from a suspected heart attack after pursuing a small group of boys who had been trying to climb a low wall outside his home.

Mr Whitham and his partner Lynne Fitzgerald ran after the boys for less than 100 yards when the pizza parlour owner stumbled and fell into the road in Haydock, Merseyside.

Paramedics were called after he began having breathing difficulties and lost consciousness but efforts to revive him failed and he later died.