The flag flew at half mast atop the town hall today to mark the funeral of a former councillor.

Jim Sherrington, who was a Labour Group councillor in the 1980s, died at his home on June 4.

On Wednesday, there was a minute of silence at the town hall and today (June 30), its flag flew at half mast while the family and friends of Mr Sherrington celebrated his life at Horwich Spiritualist Church, Overdale Crematorium and Horwich RMI Club.

Martin Donaghy, who was a councillor for what was then Daubhill Ward before becoming the councillor for Tonge with the Haulgh he is now, paid tribute to a colleague he called 'caring' and 'compassionate'.

Cllr Donaghy said: "Jim was a Labour Group councillor in what was then Central Ward. He was a committed, lifelong member of the Labour Party and a committed, lifelong member of the Cooperative Party. 

"He was the chair of governors at the Valley [Primary School] for a number of years. 

"He was caring and compassionate and he got on with his case work.

"He didn't suffer fools, he wanted to get on with it and to help people."

Mr Sherrington's commitment to the Labour Party cause and the Cooperative Party cause was so strong, he still attended their meetings via a laptop brought to his house by another councillor, Richard Silvester.

This commitment continued even whilst Mr Sherrington's health deteriorated.

Cllr Donaghy said: "He wouldn't sit watching. He would share a point of view. 

"He had an ability to listen to another point of view and if he thought it was right it was OK and he agreed with it. Some people are dogmatic about things but Jim wasn't like this at all."

Mr Sherrington is survived by his wife Elaine Sherrington, his two daughters and his four grandchildren as well as other family and friends.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.