TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bolton councillor who "unselfishly gave so much for Bolton".

Cllr Christine Wild, who served as ward councillor for Westhoughton North and Chew Moor and as Bolton Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, died suddenly on Monday.

Her husband Paul Wild led the tributes, describing his wife as his "soul mate".

Mr Wild, himself a councillor, said Cllr Wild was devoted to her family and her home town.

Mr Wild said: "Unselfishly she gave so much for the towns of Westhoughton and Bolton, and will be greatly missed by a good many people.

"Christine was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and aunty. I can honestly say that she was my soul mate and my hero for the commitment she showed every day."

Cllr Wild first stood for Bolton Council in 2008 and served until 2012 becoming councillor for Westhoughton North and Chew Moor before regaining her seat in 2016. Following the recent council elections, she was appointed lead for Children's Services, a field she was passionate about.

Mr Wild, ward councillor for Astley Bridge, said: "This was position she was well experienced in due to her many years of involvement in local schools.

"She was very knowledgeable and possessed a great love and enthusiasm for school matters and all areas involving children."

Cllr Wild was a pupil at St Peter and Paul's RC Primary School and Mount St Joseph's Grammar School.

The couple had been married for 54 years, getting wed in 1966 on the day England won the World Cup.

She worked at the Metal Box in Westhoughton as a comptometer operator between 1962 -1974, before leaving to bring up the couple's two sons, Matthew, now aged 45, and James, who is now 43-years-old.

Cllr Wild returned to work in 1985 taking up a position at Marks and Spencer, where she worked until 2007.

Mr Wild said: "A great example of her versatility was when she became a Schools Lay Inspector for Ofsted between 2000 and 2006. This change of direction was sparked off by her interest and passion in education brought about by the following school voluntary work

"She was a member of the PTA at The Oaks Primary School and she was also a school governor for The Oaks, becoming Chair of Governors there in 1983 a post she held for a number of years.

"In 1984 she became involved at Sharples High School being a member of the PTA committee and a member of the governing body. She became Chair of Governors in 2016 and was still chair at the time of her death."

Mr Wild said she was proud of the schools' successes and her family ­— doting on her grandchildren Millie, aged 15, Jackson, aged 8, Thomas, aged 14 and Ella, aged 10.

Her death has prompted an outpouring of shock and deep sadness from council colleagues across Bolton.

Leader of the Council, Cllr David Greenhalgh, said:“I’m proud to have known Christine for over 20 years. Not only has she been a great friend to me over those years, but she was widely respected across all parties.

“She was proud to represent the residents of Westhoughton North and Chew Moor. Her passion was always education, and since May, served as the Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

“She was Chair of Governors at Sharples School, a school that she had close ties with since her own children attended there, and where she met her close friend on the PTA, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, the current Mayor.

“She was a great listener, cared deeply about people and genuinely wanted to make a difference.

“Her sudden passing has come as a great shock to us all. She was so well regarded, and held in deep affection by the Group.

“Christine and Paul were a team. We offer our love and support to Paul, and to the family, at this difficult time.

“Goodbye dear friend. You were a true lady and we will miss you very much.”

Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Hilary Fairclough, said: “Christine and I have been friends for over 35 years, through thick and thin. She was the sister I never had.

“I will miss her guidance, her friendship, and her naughty sense of humour. It was a privilege to call her my friend.

“Christine gave her best to everything she did. She worked tirelessly as a governor at Sharples Secondary School and supported the school for over 30 years.

“She represented her area of Westhoughton as a councillor, with the same enthusiasm and commitment on the first day as the last.

“It is true to say you never miss things till they are gone, and Christine will be really missed.”

Cllr Sean Hornby said: "Christine has been a very good and respected member of the Council representing Westhoughton and Chew Moor.

"It has been a pleasure and a honour to work with her and consider her a friend and my thoughts and prayers go out to her husband Cllr Paul Wild and the rest of the family. Bolton has lost a excellent servant to the people of the town."

Bolton West MP Chris Green said: "Christine was one of the most hard-working councillors I have ever come across. She worked tirelessly for the people of Westhoughton, Hunger Hill and Chew Moor and was well-known and well-loved right across Bolton.

"Christine was not only an exceptional local councillor but also a friend and I will deeply miss her. My thoughts are with Paul and her family."