A LIFE-LONG Bolton Wanderers fan was given her final resting place on the Burnden Park pitch to fulfil her dying wish.

Edith Hodgkiss was a committed follower and season ticket holder from the 1930s until illness prevented her from watching her heroes.

And in a poignant ceremony yesterday, Edith's ashes were scattered at the famous stadium at exactly 4.45pm - the normal full-time whistle of a Saturday afternoon match.

The last match she went to was the Wanderers' 1-0 Premiership defeat at Manchester City earlier this season. She died, aged 82, peacefully at her home in Farnworth on April 9.

Edith's children Ian, John and Judith all became fanatical Wanderers fans picking up the infectious enthusiasm of their mother. Ian said: "She loved going to see the Wanderers. It was a massive part of her life and this is a fitting tribute to her life-long commitment to the club."

He added: "As far as we know she must have been one of the oldest Bolton fans still regularly attending the games."

Bolton Wanderers chief executive Des McBain said: "We were happy to co-operate with the family in this ceremony which was very special to them."

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