TRIBUTES were paid to Bolton's Mayor Cllr Peter Birch last night during his last council meeting before the end of his year in office.

He will stand down next month to be replaced by Westhoughton Cllr Peter Finch.

Councillors from all political parties praised his efforts during his year as Bolton's first citizen.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Mary Mason praised the way that Cllr Birch and his wife Glynis had overcome illness to carry out their duties. Cllr Birch is a diabetic and his wife suffers from Lupus, a disease where the body creates anti-bodies which attack a person's own body tissue.

Cllr Miss Mason said: "They have shown that it is possible for a person to lead a very full life in spite of personal health problems."

His Burnden ward colleague, Labour Cllr Mrs Prentice Howarth, described him as the Mayor with the "common touch" and he always made time to talk to people.

Councillors also praised the work of three members who are not standing for re-election next month.

Bolton's first black Mayor, Labour Cllr Campbell Benjamin, is retiring, as is Smithills Cllr Mason.

Bolton South-east MP Dr Brian Iddon will also officially cease to be a Bolton councillor - a year after he was elected to Westminster.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.