TRIBUTES have been paid to 'Mr Bolton Festival' Denis Priestley following his death through Alzheimer's disease.

Denis, who founded the annual event which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, passed away at Bolton Hospital on Wednesday where he had lived for three years.

He came up with the idea of the festival to recreate the celebrations he enjoyed in Paderborn and Le Mans while on family holidays in Bolton's twin towns.

A former Conservative councillor who served for 15 years on Bolton Council, he remained chairman of the festival committee until 1999. He was also chairman of Bolton Little Theatre.

He leaves a grown-up son and daughter, Duncan and Carol and two grandchildren.

Duncan said: "He gave so much to Bolton and a lot of people are going to miss him very dearly.

"Everybody knew him as Mr Bolton Festival because of the work he did to make it a success. He was a wonderful man.'

Former Bolton Arts School pupil Denis lived at Redcar Road, Bolton, with his wife Margaret who died as a result of a brain haemorrhage three years ago

He previously held the title of deputy head of art and design at Salford University and ran his own private design company.

Denis won a £5,000 pay out from Bolton Council in 1991 after he claimed that the council's logo, a line drawing of the Town Hall, was based on his design for the Bolton Festival. This year's festival will be held across the borough from Friday, August 20 for ten days.

Bob Howarth, Labour leader of the council from 1980 until May this year, said: "It is very sad news. Bolton has a great deal to be thankful to Denis for, he was a very good man."

Elizabeth Tatman, who has been chairman of the festival since taking over from Denis, said: "He was the driving force behind the festival and worked tirelessly to get it established for more than 20 years."

FESTIVAL DRIVING FORCE: Denis Priestley