Ged Crooks - the one time king of Carlisle nightlife - has died. The former Buskers boss passed away yesterday morning.

Friend Kenny Hogg, who owns Fantails restaurant in Wetheral, said: “Ged was a top bloke. A really good fella. He was a Carlisle lad born and bred.

“I went to see him before I went on holiday as he’d been ill.

“In the early days he did a lot for Carlisle nightlife. Everybody used to go to Buskers and loads of people who met there ended up getting married.

“He was a family man and one of life’s characters.”

Mr Crooks, who was in his late 70's, bought the Cumbrian Hotel in 2000, refurbished it and renamed it the Lakes Court, then sold it just before the credit crunch.

He also owned the former Cassa bar on Botchergate and the current Panchos restaurant, which was closed yesterday.

Carol Milnes, who used to work for Mr Crooks said: “He was an incredible man. He was full of life and full of fun.

“He was the first entrepreneur in the nightclub scene. He saw an opening that no one else saw and that was a great attribute to him.

“He was kind and generous and fair.

“He will be missed.”

Tributes were flooding in on Facebook this morning.

Tony Hope wrote: “RIP Ged Crooks, Carlisle Nightlife King. Thoughts go out to his family. God bless.”

And Mike Foster said: “RIP Ged Crooks. “A fine man and gentleman a pleasure to have known “My thoughts are with his family. “2016 can't leave quick enough.

Mr Crooks leaves his partner, Julie, and five children.