FAMILY and friends have shared their memories of a popular Keighley musician who died at his home, aged 67.

Pete Foxon, known to his friends as "Digger", lived in Riddlesden where he had his own smallholding.

He died suddenly on January 21. He had diabetes and was due to have a triple heart bypass operation.

He was married twice and leaves behind his first wife Jill, wife Su, five children, eight grandchildren, his sister Val and his stepdaughter Grace.

Mr Foxon was born in Burton-on-Trent in 1951 but had lived in the Keighley area for more than 40 years.

He had taught maths and PE at Oakbank School.

While he was at Oakbank, Mr Foxon along with Gary Marshall and Phil Swale, started the band Soulfish. It became one of the most popular groups of the 1990s in Keighley, performing classic soul and Motown covers.

Soulfish came to an end 11 years ago, but Mr Foxon – who mainly played bass guitar – and other members of the group continued to play separately in other successful bands before re-uniting as part of rockabilly band the 59 Sound.

Mr Foxon, Mr Marshall and Mr Swale also performed together with Motown group Sister Act.

A year ago they and other musicians formed Soul Train, a revamped line-up of Soulfish, making their debut at Keighley's Okeh Soul Club's New Year's Eve party.

Mr Foxon's son, Jamie, said: "Dad had a love of music, food and living off the land.

"When he was a teacher his attention was always drawn to pupils who were under performing academically. He was responsible for steering a lot of young people in the right direction."

Reacting to news of Mr Foxon's death, Mr Swale said: "It's with extreme sadness that I can let people know we've lost one of the finest men.

"Father, friend and fellow musician Mr Pete 'Digger' Foxon has gone to the big gig in the sky.

"I played alongside this mountain of a man for 20 years and it was an absolute pleasure and an honour. Although there is heartache, I have so many fond memories and stories that I will cherish forever.

"Pete's wife has encouraged the Soul Train band to continue in his honour. My thoughts go out to her, Pete's children and grandchildren."

Mr Marshall said there would be a gig on Saturday February 17, which will serve as a celebration of Mr Foxon's life. The gig will be staged at the Snooty Fox in Oakworth at 8.30pm. Visit the SoulTrain Facebook page for details.

Mr Foxon's funeral service takes place at 11.30am on Tuesday February 13 at Oakworth Crematorium. This will be followed at 1pm by a wake at the Airedale Heifer. All are welcome to attend.