A CIVIC funeral will be held for a former councillor weeks after a similar service for his late wife, the first female leader of Bolton Council.

The service for honorary alderman Bob Ronson, who died aged 83 on Monday, will take place at St Catherine's Church in Horwich.

The Liberal Democrat served as the Mayor of Horwich, Horwich North East ward councillor and became the first male consort to a Mayor of Bolton when his wife Barbara held this position.

She also received a civic funeral at the same church on November 12 which followed the death of their son, Michael, during the summer.

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The Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, said: “Bob was a lovely man who worked hard for the council over the years and I feel for his son Rob, losing both his parents and brother in the same year. Bob will be sadly missed”.

Liberal Democrat leader, Cllr Roger Hayes, said: "I never heard anybody say a bad word about Bob. He was a great support to Barbara and as a couple they were very effective in the social and political life of Horwich and Bolton. They will be sadly missed."

The service will begin at 11.30am on Monday, December 17 and will be followed by a private committal at Overdale Crematorium for family only.