TRIBUTES were paid to former mayoress Gay Wharton as the entire council fell silent to remember her yesterday evening.

Mrs Wharton, 58, lost her life after being knocked down by car on November 13 on Chorley New Road, between Bolton School and the town centre.

She suffered serious injuries in the collision and died at the scene.

Before saying prayers at the start of the full Bolton Council meeting on Wednesday, Revd Canon Dr Chris Bracegirdle asked all 61 members of the council, who were meeting online, to pause in a moment of reflection to remember Mrs Wharton.

He said: "This is the first council meeting since the tragic death of former mayoress Gay Wharton.

"Can we just take a moment to remember Gay and in this time of great sadness and loss and remember her family, husband Steve and Gay's sons Matthew and Adam."

Mrs Wharton was mayoress alongside 2014 mayor Cllr Martin Donaghy and a second mayoress Jacqueline Tracey.

The three of them had worked together at Sainsbury’s in Bolton town centre where Mrs Wharton was a in-store trainer.

Her funeral service will take place tomorrow (Friday), at noon at Overdale West Chapel.

Restrictions during the pandemic mean that numbers at the service have to be limited, but those who wish to pay their respects to the much loved former mayoress of Bolton are asked to line the road in socially-distanced manner outside The Retreat Restaurant, Chorley New Road, at 11.30am, as the funeral cortege passes.

It is hoped a memorial service for Mrs Wharton, will take place at Bolton Parish Church next year.