A POPULAR Bolton Council pest control officer has died suddenly, aged 56.

Geof Evans worked for 27 years in the council's environment department from 1977, after a stint as a postman and nine years in the Royal Navy.

Mr Evans was given the nickname "Jovial Geof" by his colleagues, and is described as a popular man who took great pride in his appearance, but who was a stickler for routine.

He had suffered with diabetes for the last two years and died in hospital on February 20.

From Westhoughton, he was a family man and leaves a wife, Joan, two children and three grandchildren.

Steve Maslivec, head of environmental protection, said: "Lots of people have used the pest control service over the years and most would not realise he was at the spearhead of that.

"Geof will be remembered for running the department so well and providing such a good service for the people of Bolton.

"He was also a real practical joker and will be very sadly missed."