A former soldier has died from a heart attack during a sunshine break to Malta.

Lewis Maynard, who was 68, and lived at Main Road, Thornton, with his wife Maureen, collapsed on Sunday in the resort of Salina.

Family friend Ralph Kubicsek said he took the frantic call from Mrs Maynard just hours after it happened.

“She was crying and just could not believe what had happened,” he said.

“It was a total shock. Even though he had suffered serious health problems, no one expected this to happen.”

It was Mr Maynard’s third heart attack. He first had one when he was just 44 during a Territorial Army exercise on a firing range and another ten years later when he was driving a van.

“He got over both of them but he had become diabetic,” said Mr Kubicsek.

“Maureen is coping. She is getting help from the British Embassy out there.

“She said she would need about 5,000 euros to sort everything out and get him flown home. It could take a week.”

The couple, who been married for more than 40 years and were in the final week of a month-long stay, had been on their way down to breakfast in their hotel on Sunday when Mr Maynard complained of not feeling well. He asked his wife to fetch a chair but when she returned she found him slumped on the floor.

Mr Maynard, who served for a time in the regular army and had two sons, Andrew and Edward, living in Clayton, was rushed to the local hospital. But despite medical efforts to save him he later died.

Details of a funeral and celebration of Mr Maynard’s life will be announced later.

“The funeral will be organised when she brings him home,” said Mr Kubicsek.