THE funeral of RAF serviceman Bertie Lewis, who became an anti-war campaigner, was set to take place today.

Chicago-born Mr Lewis died from a heart attack at the Royal Bolton Hospital on December 22 at the age of 90.

His funeral takes place at the East Chapel at Overdale Crematorium, in Chorley New Road, at 10.45am this morning with mourners expected to travel from across the country to pay their final respects.

Right up until his death, Mr Lewis, who lived in Farnworth, had been a familiar town centre figure, every Saturday brandishing his placard in Victoria Square, demonstrating against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan or the threat of nuclear weapons.

Despite his RAF background, Mr Lewis — who was one of the few Americans in the British air force — became staunchly anti-war, taking his protests to the street every week in Bolton and on national protests in London.

On Remembrance Sunday, at the foot of the Cenotaph, he would always lay his wreath of white poppies, to symbolise peace.

Despite his advancing years, in March he was among the protesters at the United Against Fascism and English Defence League counter-rallies in Bolton town centre.

He was knocked to the ground as police tried to arrest UAF protesters but spent the rest of the afternoon continuing his protest, albeit sitting down in his chair.