A MEMORIAL service is to be held this Sunday for the former mayor of Bolton, Councillor Peter Birch.

The event will take place at the Parish church and the tributes will be led by Cllr Bob Howarth, leader of the council, and current Mayor, Cllr Kevan Helsby.

Canon Slade pupil Helen Wilding will also be singing at the service.

Cllr Birch was impressed when he saw her perform a song of peace on Remembrance Sunday.

The former mayor, who was councillor for Burnden, died earlier this month of a heart attack. He was aged 53.

Despite suffering two heart attacks more than 10 years ago, he was an active member of Bolton Council and served as one of the town's youngest mayors from 1997 to 1998. He also chaired the Burnden, Daubhill and Deane local area forum.

Cllr Birch, of Sandham Walk, Great Lever, is survived by his wife, Glynis, who served by his side as mayoress and helped him raise the profile of diabetes when they nominated a Diabetes Awareness Year during their term of office.

He was a welder for many years but changed his career in 1990 and ran his own printing business.

In the past has served on the council's education, arts, planning, housing and leisure service committees.

Cllr Birch was also a lifelong Bolton Wanderers supporter. A MEMORIAL service is to be held this Sunday for the former Mayor of Bolton, Councillor Peter Birch.

It will take place at the Parish church and the tributes will be led by Cllr Bob Howarth, leader of the council, and current Mayor, Cllr Kevan Helsby.

Canon Slade pupil Helen Wilding will also be singing at the service.

Cllr Birch was impressed when he saw her perform a song of peace on Remembrance Sunday.

The former mayor, who was councillor for Burnden, died earlier this month of a heart attack. He was aged 53.

Despite suffering two heart attacks more than 10 years ago, he was an active member of Bolton Council and served as one of the town's youngest mayors from 1997 to 1998. He also chaired the Burnden, Daubhill and Deane local area forum.

Cllr Birch, of Sandham Walk, Great Lever, is survived by his wife, Glynis, who served by his side as mayoress and helped him raise the profile of diabetes when they nominated a Diabetes Awareness Year during their term of office.

He was a welder for many years but changed his career in 1990 and ran his own printing business.

In the past has served on the council's education, arts, planning, housing and leisure service committees.

Cllr Birch was also a lifelong Bolton Wanderers supporter.