A LONG-SERVING councillor and former mayor has died today.

Peter Birch, aged 53, is believed to have suffered a heart attack at his home.

Cllr Birch, of Sandham Walk, Great Lever, represented the Burnden ward for more than 21 years and was a big campaigner for fellow diabetics.

Despite suffering two heart attacks more than 10 years ago, he was an active member of Bolton Council and served as one of the town's youngest mayors from 1997 to 1998. He also chaired the Burnden, Daubhill and Deane local area forum.

He is survived by his wife, Glynis, who served by his side as mayoress and helped him raise the profile of diabetes when they nominated a Diabetes Awareness Year during their term of office.

Mr Birch was also a keen artist and enjoyed keeping his town hall colleagues in the picture -- with his pen and ink sketches.

A time-served welder, he changed his career in 1990 and ran his own printing business and in the past has served on the council's education, arts, planning, housing and leisure service committees.