Tributes paid to 'infectiously charismatic' dad who died after assault at social club

Tributes have been paid to an 'infectiously charismatic' and beloved dad who died after an assault in Rossendale.

Police raced to Waterfoot Social Club on Ashworth Street following reports of a serious assault at 11:51pm on Saturday (November 23). A 58-year-old man was taken to hospital, where he has since sadly died.

He has now been named as Simon Clayton, from Accrington. His family said their lives have been 'ripped apart' adding they had been left with a 'void that can never be filled'.

READ MORE: What really happened in town on Saturday afternoon

A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm, and has since been bailed with conditions. Officers said enquiries are ongoing, but reassured the public they believe this was an 'isolated incident'.

In a statement, the force said: "We received a report of a serious assault at Waterfoot Social Club on Ashworth Street, Rossendale, at 11:51pm on Saturday, 23^rd November.

"Officers attended, along with our colleagues from the North West Ambulance Service and a 58-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

"A 60-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and was later bailed with conditions as our enquiries continued.

"Very sadly, the 58-year-old man later died in hospital. He can now be named as Simon Clayton, from Accrington. Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this incredibly distressing time. A Home Office Postmortem will be carried out to determine how Mr Clayton died."

Paying tribute to him, Simon’s family said: “Simon was a very infectiously charismatic person who adored and loved his family dearly.

“Our world has been ripped apart and we are left with a void that can never be