TRIBUTES and condolences have flooded in for a record-breaking athlete and descendant of the Pendle area.

Known as the man who ‘made the impossible, possible’ the death of Sir Roger Bannister sparked a flood of tributes from every corner of the globe at the weekend. 

A medical student at the time, Sir Roger made history in 1954 by becoming the first man in the world to run a mile in under four minutes, a record which stood for just 46 days.

Already a national hero, the athlete then went on to win gold at the 1954 Commonwealth Games, before he retired from the sport to become a leading neurologist.

With roots in Lancashire, Sir Roger was a great supporter of the Heritage Centre in Pendle, a place which supports the conservation and interpretation of Pendle Hill and its countryside, hamlets and villages.

Speaking of his death, a spokesperson for Pendle Heritage Centre Trust said: “Sir Roger was a descendant of the Bannisters of Park Hill and a great supporter of the Heritage centre since its inception.
“What he achieved was a true landmark of physical human achievement.
“We shall miss his enthusiastic support and encouragement.”

The Pendle Heritage Centre has been described as ‘Pendle’s hidden gem’ and occupies the Grade II listed buildings at Park Hill in Barrowford.

The Farmstead was the home of the Bannister family who originally settled at Park Hill in 1461.

A statement from his family said: “Sir Roger Bannister, died peacefully in Oxford on 3 March, aged 88, surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them. He banked his treasure in the hearts of his friends.”

Seb Coe, International Association of Athletics Federations president, said: “There is not a single athlete of my generation who was not inspired by Roger and his achievements on and off the track.”