TRIBUTES have been paid to a stalwart of the Horwich community who has died at the age of 79.

Norman Pendlebury worked tirelessly for many organisations including the Community Centre Lunch Club, the Horwich Visitor Service and the Horwich Heritage Centre.

He was born in the Royal Bolton Hospital in 1941 and moved to Horwich in 1964, when he married his late wife Doreen.

Norman died on August 17and leaves behind his partner Carol and his brother Keith.

In 2015 Norman was recognised with the Horwich Civic Medal for all the work he did for the Horwich Heritage Centre, as well as volunteering for Bolton Hospice and his involvement with the RAOB.

He also helped out with the Horwich Visitor Service, the RSPCA and Horwich Carnival.

Stuart Whittle, chair of the Horwich Heritage Centre said: “With the passing of Norman, Horwich has lost one of its true community champions.

“When he moved here he immediately developed a love for the town and its surrounding area and was determined to make a contribution - which he certainly did over the subsequent 57 years.

“He was well-known around the town and was involved in so many good causes.

“Norman made an invaluable contribution to the development and running of our society since we first started in 1985.

“He has been our Mr Reliable and has been involved in every aspect of what we have done over the past 36 years.

“He has helped with creating and staffing our Heritage Centre, putting on exhibitions, organising our speaker and schools programme and trips.

“His presence will be greatly missed - Norman will be a hard act to follow.

“We offer our condolences to Carol, who has done a wonderful job of looking after Norman whilst he was poorly over the last year.

“She couldn’t have done more and he was fortunate to have her support.

“We also offer our condolences to Norman’s wider family.”

Norman’s funeral is set to take place on September 3 at Horwich Parish Church at 1pm.

It has been announced that donations can be made in his memory to RSPCA Bolton.