A former manager of Bolton’s Albert Halls was honoured with a posthumous award for his dedicated work.

Former operations manager Dave Hollings was given a special achievement prize in a moving conclusion to Bolton Council’s Best Staff Awards.

His daughter, Kerry Stockton, fought back tears as she remembered her late father’s achievements as operations manager at the Albert Halls.

Mrs Stockton was at Bolton Town Hall yesterday to collect an award on behalf of her late father, Mrs Stockton, aged 31, said: “It’s a very proud moment because it was more than just a job to him.

“He loved his job — that’s all he kept saying when he was ill.

“There were 300 people at his funeral. People kept coming up to me and saying he was the nicest boss they had ever had.”

Mr Hollings served as the operations manager at the Albert Halls for 10 years before he lost his battle with cancer in September.

Before that, he managed The Water Place swimming pool and Horwich Leisure Centre, where he was responsible for giving Bolton comedian Paddy McGuinness his first job as a pool attendant.

Other award winners included dog warden Jason Jedrzjewski, who collected the unsung hero prize for his work dealing with the borough’s dangerous dogs — and sometimes their even more dangerous owners.

Barbara Oakes, manager of the High Street Library in Daubhill, said she was “very proud and amazingly lucky” after winning the lifetime achievement award for her 43 years’ service.

The Best Contribution to the Community Award, which is voted for by the public, was given to Gillian Litherland, of the council’s Sensory Team, who helps deaf people by distributing specialist equipment to make their lives easier.

Best Apprentice was Adam White, a business administrator, while community services manager Phil Wakerley was named as Best Manager.

The rangers and ground staff at Moses Gate Country Park collected the best team award.

Shirley Booth, who looks after children in care, was named the best team worker.

The biggest cheer of the ceremony was for the team which organised the Bolton Food and Drink Festival.

The team received the Best Outcome award, which was voted for by council staff.

Bolton Council chief executive Sean Harriss, presenting the award, said: “This is the fourth year that we’ve hosted the Bolton Food and Drink Festival and it continues to grow every year.

“It wouldn’t have been successful or possible without the people across the council who put in a huge amount of work to make sure it all went seamlessly.

“They achieved something that is fantastic for local people and visitors to Bolton.”