THE youngest brother in the family behind the Reebok empire has died of a heart attack in Tenerife.

John Foster, aged 54, died on the sunshine isle where he had made his home for the last two years after opening a bar.

Mr Foster was the younger brother of Joe Foster and the late Jeff Foster who founded Reebok, and helped run the company until they all retired 12 years ago.

Their grandfather was Joseph Foster who set up the J W Foster Company which became a leader on the world stage and made shoes for many record-breaking athletes.

John Foster leaves two children Nicola, aged 24, and Martyn, aged 21. His brother Joe said: "John liked to live life to the full and everybody liked him, he was very outgoing."

Reebok started out with one Bolton factory producing shoes and athletic footwear and in 1979 the firm took its first steps abroad.

An American marketer spotted Reebok shoes in an international display and introduced three running shoes to the US market.

By 1981 US sales exceeded £1.5m and now Reebok is a multi-national household name.

The memorial service and interment will take place tomorrow at 3.30pm at Christ Church, Chorley New Road, Heaton.