LOCAL history enthusiasts are mourning the sudden death of Cliff Stockton one of Bolton’s best-known historians.

Mr Stockton was aged 74 and died at his home.

He had been a member of the Halliwell Local History Society since it began 25 years ago and its chairman for the past 18.

He was also president of the Lancashire and Cheshire Numismatic Society, and volunteered as a guide at Smithills Hall.

A lover of local history, Mr Stockton’s gentle manner hid a remarkable scope of knowledge.

He published work on local history as well as contributing to articles in newspapers and other publications.

A man with a social conscience and sense of responsibility, Mr Stockton volunteered at the Working Class Movement Library, where he helped to catalogue and archive many collections.

He was also well-known as a speaker throughout the North West on topics varying from Victorian Concert Halls to Yorkshire Coiners and delivered more than 260 talks to more than 170 different organisations.

He was born in Bolton but his family moved away and he returned to the town with his own family in 1980. He was a church chorister from an early age and most recently was lead tenor at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Halliwell.

Mr Stockton was among the last to be called up for National Service in the RAF.

He leaves his wife of 40 years, Sue, sons Andrew and Glynn and their wives Kerry and Katie, and grandson Flynn. He was also looking forward to the birth of his second grandchild in November.

Margaret Koppens from Halliwell Local History Society said Mr Stockton’s knowledge of local and social history was “immense”.

● The funeral will be held at 1pm on Friday, September 30, at St Thomas the Apostle Church in Eskrick Street, Halliwell.