A HEARTBROKEN sister has paid tribute to a"Blackrod legend" after his sudden death.

Wayne Lever, 50, was tragically found dead at his home on May 15 after he suffered a spontaneous brain haemorrhage.

Devastated sister, Hazel Kenesari, has received dozens of messages of condolence since her brother's death.

She said: "I've been flooded with people sending their condolences, I knew he was liked because he would do anything for any body but I hadn't realised just how many hearts he'd touched.

"He lived in Blackrod for years and years and he used to help people with anything, moving house, doing gardening, he was very well liked and respected.

"I loved him to pieces, we were very close, and it was very sudden and very unexpected, he wasn't ill at all."

Mr Lever was found by a friend who grew worried after not hearing from him for around a day.

The 50-year-old lived alone with his dog, and hadn't been visited by any family members due to the current lockdown measures in place.

He had been working at Iceland food shop in Horwich for around 18 months prior to his tragic death, manning the checkouts in store and also working as a delivery driver in the community.

Mr Lever had been working hard throughout lockdown to deliver essential food and groceries to households across the borough.

Ms Kenesari said his colleagues had reached out to her to tell her how much they'd miss him in the store.

She added: "He had so many friends that want to go to the funeral and we're only allowed to have ten people there.

"He wasn't ill so we didn't have any money saved up for a funeral – I've had to create a donation page because I just didn't know what else to do.

"Not only can we not afford it ourselves but we can't give him the send off that he deserves because of this coronavirus and that's just devastating.

"He wasn't one for taking pictures or having pictures of himself taken so we haven't got masses and masses of pictures of him either which just adds to the heartache."

Mr Lever is survived by his sister, brother Terry and parents Bob Lever and Barbara Hindley.

He also leaves behind step-parents, beloved nieces and nephews, and a great-nephew due in August that he'll never have the chance to meet..

Ms Kenesari is trying to raise £3,000 to pay for her brother's funeral costs.

Visit gofundme.com/f/jm66n-raising-funds-for-my-brothers-funeral for more information and to donate to the fund.