A RETIRED Bolton banker who was made an MBE, has died.

Mr Brian Thompson received the honour in 2004 for his services to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Mr Thompson, who was born in Whitefield, became involved with the RNLI in 1970 as a voluntary member of the local fundraising committee, and became treasurer for the Farnworth, Kearsley and Bolton Branch in 1977.

His son, Martin, said: “My dad organised many fundraising events for the RNLI, such as concerts by Smithills School Brass band.

“Dad also spent a lot of time organising and participating in street collections for the RNLI.”

Mr Thompson’s career in banking began at the age of 16 when he joined Williams Deacon’s in Farnworth.

He later went on to work at what became the Royal Bank of Scotland on Deansgate, which is where he met his wife-to-be, Glenda.

The couple lived in Barcroft Road, Bolton, and had two sons, Stuart and Martin.

Mr Thompson retired as assistant manager of the bank in 2012 enabling him to devote more time to his family, fundraising and his passion for music.

He was a particular fan of the group, Jeriatric Jazz, and persuaded them to play many RNLI fundraising shows.

In 2015 Mr Thompson, whose wife died in 1994, moved to Oxfordshire to be nearer his younger son, Martin.

He died peacefully, aged 82, on July 22 at a care home.

Mr Thompson is survived by his two sons and three grandchildren.

A service and committal will take place at South Oxford Crematorium at 9am on Monday.

His family have asked that any donations should go to the RNLI c/o Bolton District Branch, 214 Belmont Road, Bolton, BL1 7AZ.