A FORMER miner who emigrated to Turkey to help ease his wife's crippling arthritis has died while holidaying back in Chorley.

Tony Whitley retired abroad 10 years ago after his wife Sheila developed the illness.

The 64-year-old regularly returned to Chorley, where he still had a home in Corporation Street, to visit friends and relatives.

It was just one week into his latest visit when he died on Sunday, August 1.

His brother Les, of Spendmore Lane, Coppull, said: "Tony was well-known in Coppull. He was a popular guy and we will really miss him.

"His wife was not visiting with him because of her arthritis, but flew back as soon as she heard about Tony.

"He really liked Turkey but came back as often as he could because he missed everybody here."

Tony leaves a son Daniel, who still lives in Coppull, and sister Norma Wilding, also from Coppull.

A Chorley Police spokesperson said: "We were called out late on Sunday morning by a family member.

"The paramedics were already at the address, but were unable to revive Mr Whitely. The death is not being treated as suspicious."