Paramedics treated the 56-year-old at the park before taking him to hospital but, despite their best efforts, Welbury, or Wilbur as he was known, died soon after his arrival.

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Managers at Blackpool Pleasure Beach paid tribute yesterday to the popular supervisor. "Wilbur began work as a park ranger but his hard work and dedication to his job saw him rise through the ranks to the position of supervisor," said managing director Amanda Thompson.

"His cheery demeanour and wonderful attitude to life made him an extremely popular member of staff and he will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him."

Police broke the news of his death to his sister, Mrs Sharon Thompson, at her Barnoldswick home on Sunday afternoon.

Born in Skipton, Wilbur moved to Barnoldswick when he was seven with his family and attended St Joseph's School and Fisher-More High School.

After school, he completed an apprenticeship as a painter and decorator with Bolton's Decorators where he worked for a number of years before moving to a decorating business owned by Mr Barry Smith in the town, and then Silentnight Beds.

He had worked at the pleasure beach for seven years.

A true character, his cheery personality endeared him to many and his family have been heartened by the affectionate comments and support shown by his friends and former workmates.

His body will be taken into St Joseph's Church on Tuesday evening in advance of the funeral Mass on Wednesday at 10 a.m. He will be buried afterwards at Ghyll Cemetery. He leaves his sister and a son, Russell.