ATHERTON'S elder statesman Cllr Joe Clarke, OBE, died at home yesterday after a short illness.

The ex-Mayor, aged 80, will be remembered for his dedication to improving public transport.

He made a significant contribution to the Metrolink while he was chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority.

Wigan Council Leader Lord Smith of Leigh paid tribute to his close colleague.

He said: "Even though it was not unexpected it still came as a real shock to lose one of our finest public servants.

"Joe was the best loved politician in Greater Manchester and we will all miss him greatly.

"Our hearts go out to Joe's wife, Minnie, and his family.

"We last saw Joe in the town hall in November when we made him a Freeman of the Borough and I know he was deeply moved and very proud."

Born in 1920, Cllr Clarke was an ex-miner who became a councillor with Atherton UDC in 1970 after serving as a National Union of Mineworkers officer.

He was Mayor of Wigan in 1993/4 and had been chairman of GMPTA since 1990.

In February this year he was awarded the OBE for his outstanding contribution to public transport.

He leaves a wife, Minnie, two sons and four grandchildren. The funeral is at St Richard's Church on Wednesday. Cllr Joe Clarke