FRIENDS and neighbours have paid tribute to a man with a "heart of gold" who died after becoming trapped in farm machinery.

Emergency services were called to a smallholding at Back Lane, Thornton, at around 8.45pm last night, where they found a man with serious injuries.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The man has now been named locally as 60-year-old Charlie Lovell, who lived nearby in Thornton village. 

He is thought to have been married with two children. 

Friend Maureen Moorhouse said she had known him for "years and years" and was one of the first people on the scene last night. 

"He would do anything for anybody," she said. 

"He would help anybody out. He was so well liked.

"He was just a really good friend to me and my partner. He used to come most days for cups of tea. He was such a genuinely, well liked, family man.

"Everybody thought the world of him."

Another resident said Thornton had "lost a character". 

One neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "He was just a nice fella. He had a heart of gold."

While another resident described seeing emergency services flood the street.

"I said to my friend something must have happened," she said.

"They were here all night," she added. "It's really sad, it has shaken me up a bit.

"He was very helpful. His whole life was on the farm, he was always up there."

Another neighbour said he was always smiling and happy.

He said: "I'm sad, I'm really sad. Everyone knew him, he was a nice bloke."

The man added he was watching television when he saw the blue lights of emergency vehicles arrive on the street. 

While another neighbour on the quiet, rural street, added: "He was a lovely bloke."

The man’s death is not believed to be suspicious and enquiries are continuing with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Police vehicles remained at the scene today. 

A HSE spokesperson said: “HSE is aware of the incident and an inspector is at the scene assisting the police who are leading the investigation.”

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