A NATIONWIDE wrestling tour which comes to Chorley later this month will still go ahead despite the sudden death of one its stars.

Forty two stone Yokozuna, aged 34, was found dead of a suspected heart attack in a Liverpool hotel room last week.

Commonly known as Mr Sumo, the wrestling giant was due to appear at Chorley Town Hall with the rest of the stars appearing as part of the UK Wrestlemania 2000 Tour later this month.

But following the tragedy, colleagues and organisers are determined that the show must go on as a tribute to the hugely popular American-based wrestler.

Brian Dixon, of Housefull Productions, said: "Yokozuna's death has come as a great shock to everyone involved in the tour.

"Only the day before he had negotiated with us to stay to finish the tour because he was having such a good time."

Merseyside-based Brian said he and the wrestlers on the tour were "devastated" by the tragedy.

"They have decided that they are going to carry on with the tour," Brian added.

"They reckon that it is exactly what he would have wanted and not for them to postpone or cancel the tour.

"We have decided that we are dedicating the tour in honour of the life and achievements of Yokozuna."

Yokozuna, who leaves a wife and two children, was born in Hawaii and lived in Las Vegas. His cousins -- The Rock and Rikishi -- both fight with the hugely popular WWF in America.

The Chorley Citizen is currently running a competition offering tickets to the town hall event which takes place on Wednesday, November 22.

The bill also includes The Bushwhackers and Greg 'The Hammer' Valentine, stars who have headed WWF presentations in the United States and all around the world.