AN assembly and a minute's silence were held at St Luke's Primary School in Bury on Monday as a tribute to their caretaker David Hardman, who died aged 60.

Mr Hardman suffered a suspected heart attack at home in Devon Street, Bury, in the early hours of Saturday as he tried to climb the stairs to bed.

He was found by his wife, Pat, and despite the efforts of paramedics, he was pronounced dead on arrival at Fairfield General Hospital.

A school letter was sent to parents informing them of the tragedy.

Mr Hardman's wife Pat said: "David was a very private man who had a great sense of humour and was well liked by everyone. We met at Beach's Mill in James Street, Bury, where I was a winder and he was a spinner. We married at St Marie's in March 1966."

The couple have two daughters, Marie and Michelle. Born in Bury, Mr Hardman trained as a joiner after East Ward Secondary School, but spent most of his working life in paper mills, in particular Radcliffe Paper Mill until he was made redundant in 1999. Then Mr Hardman became caretaker at Fishpool County Primary School which became St Luke's when the school merged with St Chad's Primary.

Headteacher Miss Rosemary Ruggles, said: "David was very committed to the school and an excellent caretaker. He is a great loss, which is why we felt it appropriate to have a special assembly to pray for his family and hold a moment of silence for David as a mark of respect."

A post mortem examination will take place on Thursday.

The funeral will be at 1pm on Friday, January 27, at St Peter's Church, St Peter's Road, Bury, followed by interment at Bury Cemetery at 1.45pm. A wake will follow at Fishpool Liberal Club in Nelson Street, Bury.