MARYPORT business man and sportsman Tom Ferguson has died suddenly at the age of 76.

Mr Ferguson had returned from walking his dogs on Sunday evening and died quietly shortly afterwards.

His wife, Jacqueline, said he had suffered what appeared to be a small stroke in January which hospitalised him.

Mrs Ferguson said he had been very stressed after his granddaughter, Ava Pearson, and her father, Adam, had been involved in a crash last September which left them both fighting for their lives.

Mrs Ferguson added: "But despite all that, he played tennis in December so the stroke was a shock."

He was recovering well and was looking forward to perhaps getting his driver's licence back at the end of this month.

Mr Ferguson was well known throughout the county.

He had been in the care service since 1986 and owned four care homes, the Granville and Solway House in Maryport, the Chichester in Skinburness and the Grange in Wigton.

He also owned a sports and toy shop in Maryport, originally on Crosby Street and which later moved to Senhouse Street.

He joined the family's undertakers business and was the fourth generation of Fergusons to be funeral directors in the town.

He also owned the Crossroads Garage in Flimby, now TM Motors, and Standing Stones Motors in Broughton Moor.

Mrs Ferguson said: "When people asked me what Tom did for a living I used to say 'he's very busy'."

Mr Ferguson was also a very well-known sportsman, particularly in tennis circles.

He was county captain for a number of years, served on the county committee for about 30 years and was match secretary and, latterly, was vice president of the Cumbria Lawn Tennis Association.

He was county singles champion in 1963 and won the county doubles championships on at least a dozen occasions.

He and Mrs Ferguson spent many holidays in Tenerife where, "like the Mad Dogs and Englishmen" he played tennis each day in the midday sun.

Despite the frequent parties in their Camp Road home, and his renowned wit, Tom Ferguson was teetotal.

Last Tuesday, friends he had made in Tenerife gathered to remember him and to toast him in his favourite tipple, lemon Fanta.

Mr Ferguson is survived by Mrs Ferguson, children Claire and Martin, grandchildren Amy, Sophie and Thomas Ferguson and great-granddaughter Ava.

A service for Mr Ferguson is due to be held at Maryport Methodist Chapel on Wednesday.