A POPULAR Bolton badminton player died despite frantic efforts to save him after he collapsed as he was watching a match at Deane Sports Centre.

Geoff Lee, aged 56, had played two games for the Deane C team against Smithills D in the Bolton Badminton League fixture and was watching on the sidelines when he collapsed.

Joan Hatchman, his badminton partner of 20 years who had just come off court with him, said: "He said he felt a bit unwell and that he had a sore throat that morning, but he seemed fine.

"Then he suddenly slumped forward onto the floor and stopped breathing." Fellow team member and nurse Carol Winstanley joined Deane Sports Centre duty manager Lyn McGovern in a desperate bid to resuscitate Mr Lee before paramedics arrived. But he was pronounced dead later at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

Shocked players in the match he was watching and another match in the sports hall between Deane A and GMT B immediately abandoned both fixtures.

"Geoff was a real gentle giant," added Joan. "He helped start the Deane club 20 years ago and saw it grow from just friendly play to be part of the league.

"He was a brilliant man with a great sense of humour." His wife Mrs Joyce Lee said at the couple's Ladybridge home that she was "absolutely devastated" by his death. The couple had been married for almost 33 years, and he had always been "a wonderful and supportive husband".

She added: "I cannot believe the number of people who have already contacted me about Geoff. Many people obviously thought a lot of him." He had been a lively and efficient secretary, and regularly took part in local veterans' tournaments. Mr Lee, a former BT worker, also played for Prestwich Hospital in the Whitefield League.

Funeral details will be announced later.

Mr Lee's death came just 12 months to the day of the death of another Bolton Badminton League secretary, Beryl Bottomley of Swinton BC.