A Civic Funeral will be held for the late Honorary Alderman Noel Spencer MBE on November 9.

Former Mayor of Bolton Noel Spencer died last month, and led to an outpouring of tributes from across Bolton.

The former RAF medic, who was also an engineer by trade, was first elected to Bolton Council more than half a century ago in 1970.

Well known for his work representing Farnworth, Alderman Spencer, born in 1939, was also renowned for his passion for housing.

Over the course of his career his roles also included chairman of the housing committee, executive member for housing, chair of the North West Housing Forum and chair of Bolton at Home.

His dedication to making sure the people of Bolton were properly housed earned him the appointment of honorary president for life of Bolton at Home, the borough’s biggest housing group.

Alderman Spencer was awarded an MBE for Services to Social Housing in 2007 and made an honorary alderman in 2018.

The funeral cortege will leave Farnworth FuneralCare led by the Mayoral car WH1 and make its way to the church for the 12:30pm Service at Our Lady of Lourdes & St Gregory’s RC Church

Following the church service the funeral cortege will drive to the town centre, along Le Mans Crescent, (arriving approximately 1.40pm), pause for 1 minute on Le Mans as a mark of respect for his services to the town as a councillor and Mayor then drive onto Overdale Crematorium West Chapel for the 2pm committal service

After the service at Overdale Crematorium, everyone is welcome to join the family and friends back at Farnworth & Kearsley Labour club for the Wake