A BOLTON father-of-two has drowned in the Caribbean on a dream holiday he had worked night and day to afford. Security guard Bert Smith, 46, had worked overtime for months to fund the trip to exotic Cancun on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula with a group of friends. But the fantasy turned to tragedy when Mr Smith, a strong swimmer, drowned in the Caribbean Sea only five days into his break.

Relatives and friends of Mr Smith, of Columbia Road, off Chorley New Road, were today "devastated" at the loss of a man they described as outgoing and generous.

The precise circumstances of his death are still confused but Cancun's emergency services are said to deal with up to a dozen drownings or near drownings a week in the sea of the popular resort. Backpacker's bible The Lonely Planet Guide describes some of the resorts beaches as "deadly dangerous," afflicted by a strong undertow and sudden storms.

Mr Smith had been eagerly looking forward to the trip, said brother Tommy, of Elgin Street, Halliwell. "He'd never really been abroad before last year and this one was a big holiday for him," he said. "He worked a lot of overtime to save up for it and he talked about it all the time."

Mr Smith, who worked for Stalwart Security Services of St George's Road, will be remembered for his fun loving nature.

His brother Tommy said: "Bert was a lovely bloke and a bit of a practical joker. I think a lot of people will remember him for that.

"But he also had a heart of gold. If he saw any of his mates and they were stuck he would always help them out."

Among those friends were regulars at the King's Arms in Chorley Old Road, one of a several pubs at which Mr Smith was a popular regular.

Landlady Jean Halliwell said: "Everyone is devastated. I can see him now counting the days until his holiday.

"It was a real holiday of a lifetime.

"He was always good fun. We will be doing something at the pub to commemorate his death once the funeral details are known."

Close friend George Henderson, who shared the same flat as Mr Smith for 15 years and worked at the same security firm with him for five years, was too upset yesterday to talk in detail.

"Bert was a great guy," was all he would say.

Mr Smith's family are now waiting to hear details from the British Embassy in Mexico about arrangements for his body to be brought home.

Tommy said: "We haven't heard anything from them yet."

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "Obviously our thoughts are with his family and residents at this time."

It is understood Mr Smith, who lived alone, has two adult sons aged 28 and 23.

He was a keen darts and pool player and angler.