ONE of East Lancashire's best known Italian chefs has died.

Vincenzo Manta passed away yesterday aged 62 at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

He ran Enzo's Pizza Takeaway in Colne Road, Burnley, for many years after founding it with his brothers.

Customers and friends were informer of his death in a social media post from his children on the business's Facebook page.

A keen footballer and Burnley Football Club fan,Mr Manta leaves his wife Maria, son Nicolò, daughter Carmela, and grandchildren Sofia Maria and Vincenzo Matteo

He started in business 40 years ago with an ice cream van.

The Facebook post from one of his children reads: "It is with a heavy heart that I have to write this status. My dad, Vincenzo Manta also known as Enzo, passed away yesterday at the Royal Blackburn.

"We have been inundated with messages and phone calls of well wishes. We are sorry we haven't been able to reply to every call or message but we thank you all.

"Enzo wouldn't want any doom and gloom over his passing. He was always positive and he was a proud Burnley man.

"He loved this town, he loved the people of Burnley and he loved his beloved Clarets. He was a Burnley boy through and through.

"He had many proud moments. He loved his football, he represented Saint Mary's at Primary School and went on to win everything playing for Saint Theodore's High school. He also represented the Burnley Town team.

"From playing for the Burnley Town team to opening his first ice cream van and to opening Enzo's Pizza Takeaway with his brothers.

"He served the good people of Burnley for over 40 years. He leaves, his beautiful wife Maria his son Nicolò and daughter Carmela, as well as his granddaughter Sofia Maria and his new born Grandson Vincenzo Matteo.

"He leaves his brothers his sister, his mother and his nieces and nephews and all of his family and friends.

"Enzo was, is and will always be a true Burnley legend."

Tributes on the Facebook page included: 'Great man.God bless him'; 'Heart breaking. So sad'; 'A Burnley legend lost far too soon'; and 'So sad. Great guy. True gent'.