A TRIBUTE concert is set to take place for a former radio presenter who died of a heart attack.

Maldon-based Saint FM DJ Mike Lightfoot, who was part of Essex’s blues music scene, died following a heart attack, aged 56.

A memorial concert is taking place at Melbourne Stadium, in Chelmsford, on Sunday, March 31.

Mr Lightfoot worked on a blues music programme with friend and Saint FM colleague Tim Aves for more than three years.

Mr Aves will be playing a special gig with his band Tim Aves and Wolfpack.

The band stopped playing regularly last year but is reuniting to play at the show.

Radio station chairman Lou Blackwell said: “Mike was a wonderful person and such a great asset to the station. He had such a warmth about him and an amazing knowledge of music.

“Every time I ran into him at the station, I thought ‘What a nice guy’.”

There will be 20 music acts playing a mix of styles such as folk, Americana and blues.

A spokesman said: “This is a memorial celebration for one of life’s top people Mike Lightfoot – a friend to all, a great family man, a lover of all music and football and a staunch union man.

“Mike left us far too early in his life and will be missed by so many of us.

“In way of celebration we are putting on this show with some of the best musicians around wanting to take part and help raise money.”

Friends and family have been raising money for the British Heart Foundation in Mr Lightfoot’s memory, and for the Essex Cardiothoracic Centre at Basildon Hospital.

His family has raised £1,560 for the British Heart Foundation and hope to raise more at the concert.

Charity fundraising manager Sophie Tibbitts said: “We wish the organisers of this memorial celebration the best of luck and we’re very honoured that they have chosen to support the BHF with this event.

“It is only thanks to the generosity of the public we are able to fund the vital research to find the next scientific breakthrough and help beat heartbreak forever.”

Tickets are £10 in advance or £12 on the door. For details, visit wegottickets.com/event/459258 or call 01245 290959.