POLICE have praised a man who died after suffering a heart attack behind the wheel of his car, but managed to pull over and prevent an accident.

The 43-year-old, from the Great Harwood area, has not yet been named by police, who are still informing his relatives of the tragedy. Some are believed to be out of the country.

Police say that the man was driving his Ford Escort along Ramsgreave Road, near Wilpshire, at12.30pm on Saturday.

He suffered the attack while driving but still managed to pull his car over to the side of the road, preventing an accident. Ramsgrave Road is often busy, with fast-moving traffic heading into Ramsgreave and Wilpshire from the Mellor area.

Inspector Phil Davis said: "The police have noted that he managed to bring the vehicle safely under control and avoided endangering anybody else.

"It must have been particularly difficult for him under the circumstances.

"He has potentially prevented a serious accident."

The police believe the man had been driving his car along Ramsgreave Road towards Whalley Road when he appeared to suffer the heart attack, and managed to stop the car.

Paramedics attended the scene, but the man was dead on arrival at Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

There are said to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the coroner has been informed.