BOLTON’S first town crier of the 20th century has died at the age of 91.

Bob Sherrington was officially appointed town crier in 1982 — Bolton’s first for more than 100 years — and spent 15 years in the post.

Bob, who was born in Horwich, had a booming voice, largely as a result of deafness.

“We used to say he could be heard across three fields — Huddersfield, Macclesfield and Sheffield,” said his son, Jim.

He began his working life as an apprentice at Horwich Loco Works when he was aged 13 and continued there for 48 years until it closed.

Dancing was a great love and each Saturday he would travel to the Tower ballroom at Blackpool, where he met his wife, Dorothy.

They married and had four sons, Jim, Keith, Peter and David, and lived for most of their lives in Vale Avenue, Horwich.

“He had a very full life and made good use of it,” said Jim.

Ill health forced him to move to a flat at Eldon Street high-dependency unit five years ago and then to Mill View Nursing Home at Christmas, where he died.

A funeral for Bob, a grandfather of nine and great-grandfather of five, will be held tomorrow with a service celebrating his life at St Catherine’s Church, Horwich, at 1.30pm followed by a private committal at Overdale Crematorium.

All are welcome afterwards to share their memories of him with the family at the Railway Club. Donations in his memory can be made to St John Ambulance.

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