A FIREFIGHTER who collapsed after fighting a grass fire in a Bolton park has died in hospital.

Father-of-two Graham Hughes -- a fireman for 28 years -- lost his fight for life three days after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Mr Hughes, aged 53, of Roscow Avenue, Breightmet, collapsed after tackling a grass fire at Seven Acres Country Park in Breightmet.

He complained of feeling unwell to colleagues then fell to the ground as he walked away from the scene of the fire in Thicketford Brow.

Mr Hughes' shocked colleagues and ambulance paramedics gave him cardiac massage and he started breathing again. He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital within minutes of the incident last Friday but died in the intensive care unit three days later.

His death has shocked the Bolton fire service and today fire chief Station Commander Peter Jones paid tribute to his colleague. He said: "He was well liked and will be sadly missed."

Mr Hughes spent most of his fire service in Bolton. He started his career at Eccles in 1975 and transferred in 1988 to the Bolton North Fire Station in Crompton Way.

He is survived by his wife Jan and daughters Emma and Karen.