A DEVOTED supporter of the Lancaster Canal who made many friends on the Northern Reaches has died.

Keith Tassart, 77, had been suffering from a brain tumour, and he passed away peacefully in his sleep, said his friend and fellow canal enthusiast Frank Sanderson.

Keith had worked for British Waterways, as well as being a farm manager and conservationist.

"He was a friendly, helpful bundle of energy and will be missed by many," said Frank.

"His skills were legion and his army of contacts - friends with specialist skills - were of particular value to the community and canal."

During his time as work party organiser for the Lancaster Canal Trust, Keith "hit the ground running", said Frank. "He quickly drew on a large group of volunteers, and managed to deal with outstanding canal problems, doing true restoration work."

Generous with his time, he would also travel from his home in Morecambe to help cut down trees at St Patrick's Church, Preston Patrick, that were overshadowing the graveyard.

In February 2016 he joined waterways enthusiast Colin Ogden in his dinghy to sail through the Hincaster Tunnel on the Lancaster Canal's Northern Reaches - the first craft to use the brick-lined, 345-metre-long passage for 70 years. Keith said at the time: "I had to do it as I will not be around if it ever gets back in use."

Keith is survived by his wife Jean, daughter Vicky, son David and grandchild Jessica.

His funeral is to be held on Monday, June 25, at Lancaster and Morecambe Crematorium, at 1.30pm.