THE father-in-law of a former Blackburn Rovers footballer who collapsed at a petrol station on Sunday has died.

Paul Gallagher announced on Twitter his relation, Jimmy Smith, died this morning surrounded by his family.

Mr Smith had collapsed at a petrol station in Preston Road, Lytham, on Sunday at around 10.30am.

The footballer revealed bystander Bob Attewell came to his father-in-law's aid and provided CPR until paramedics arrived.

The midfielder took to social media on Sunday to find Mr Attewell and thanked him for his quick-thinking.

Mr Gallagher said his family member's heart had stopped for 20 minutes.

However Mr Gallagher said his father-in-law had a cardiac arrest and it led to other issues, resulting in multiple organ failure.

Within a statement, on Twitter, he said: "It saddens us as a family to announce that after three days of fighting, showing huge strength and enormous courage our hero, our world, Jimmy Smith passed away peacefully earlier this morning surrounded by his loving family.

"He did regain consciousness on Sunday afternoon and he was made fully aware of what happened and was eternally grateful, we all are to Bob Attewell who performed CPR before paramedics and air ambulance arrived.

"Those three days gave us, as a family, special time to speak with him, laugh, cry and say our goodbyes.

"Unfortunately the cardiac arrest he suffered on Sunday went on to trigger other issues, resulting in multiple organ failure.

"We thank you all for the kind messages but now ask for our family's privacy."

The Scotland international, who currently plays for Preston North End, has received dozens of messages from followers on Twitter offering condolences.