A FORMER Bishop of Bolton has died, aged 71.

The Rt Rev David Bonser was the Bishop of Bolton from 1991 to 1999. He died this week after a long illness.

Born in Huddersfield, Bishop Bonser left school at 15 with no formal qualifications.

He studied at the University of Manchester before going on to minister in Greater Manchester for most of his life.

While based in Bolton, Bishop Bonser supported the town's bid for city status.

He also worked closely with the Bolton business community to introduce more ethics and morality into the businessplace

After an official retirement farewell a month after his 65th birthday at Manchester Cathedral in March 1999, the Bishop said he would spend more time playing golf, his favourite hobby. He also said he would enjoy caring for people in different communities, without the title of Bishop.

He lived in Rochdale with his wife Shirley, a primary school teacher. She died last autumn.The couple had three children: Jane, Elizabeth and Simon.

Bishop Bonser was rector of St Clement's Church in Chorlton-cum-Hardy from 1968 to 1982. In 1982 he was appointed Archdeacon of Rochdale, combining this with being Team Rector of Rochdale until he became Bishop of Bolton in 1991.

The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev Nigel McCulloch, paid tribute to Bishop Bonser. He said: "He was a much loved bishop, whose unassuming style enabled him to relate easily to everyone he met and ministered to."

Bishop Bonser's funeral will be in St Aiden's Sudden in Rochdale, on Tuesday at 12.30pm.