FORMER Bolton boxer John 'Jackie' Jones has died aged 76.

He fought some of the best middleweights on the world scene including Randolph Turpin and the Australian Dave Sands.

He was born in Milk Street and moved to James Street, both in the Deane area and now gone, before moving to Daubhill where he lived until he uprooted to London 42 years ago.

He was the Northern Area champion and, like many boxers of his time, learned his trade on the fairgrounds.

During the war he joined the Royal Navy and became the service's champion.

The funeral takes place next Wednesday with a noon mass at St Peter and Paul's Church, Bolton followed by burial at Heaton Cemetery.