TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Mayor of Blackrod, who has died at the age of 84.

John Seddon lost his battle with liver cancer at the Royal Bolton Hospital on Friday — he was described as a compassionate and caring man who always put others first.

In October, Mr Seddon was presented with the civic award of Bolton by Bolton Mayor Cllr Colin Shaw in recognition of a tireless campaign to improve the lives of people with disabilities, and their families.

On receiving the award, he said: “I feel very honoured that something I enjoyed doing for so many years has been recognised — and I hope there will be a legacy left in the services that we created.”

His involvement with disability care dates back to 1987 and includes helping to launch Bolton Shopmobility — a service that offers disabled people in Bolton a wheelchair or powered scooter to get around the town centre.

Mr Seddon was also the chairman of Greater Manchester Community Health Council and the Bolton Community Health Council.

His wife, Isabel, aged 73, also a former Mayor of Blackrod, paid tribute to her husband.

She said: “All the cards I have received since John died on Friday have said what a caring gentleman he was — his main interest was in helping other people, he was just a lovely man.

“He was diagnosed with liver cancer in June but he wasn’t a drinker, we don’t know why it came about — then last week he took a turn for the worse.”

The couple married in 1985 after John had supported Isabel when her previous husband died.

John leaves behind two children from a previous marriage, Carol and Stephen.

The funeral is at St Katherine’s Church, Blackrod on Friday at 2pm.