SHOPS in Atherton and Tyldesley will close next week as a mark of respect following the death of a bakery boss.

Many businesses will shut on Monday when the funeral is held of 60-year-old Fred Rushby who ran the Tyldesley bakery firm Dawsons.

Grimsby-born Mr Rushby spent his early years in Little Hulton and worked for Lancashire United Transport. In the mid-1960s he married June Dawson, whose grandfather Cornelius started the Tyldesley bakery. Fred began work in the family firm then run by June, her father Harry and her brother Paul.

After Harry Dawson's retirement and her brother's death in 1980, Mr Rushby became joint proprietor with his wife.

He was a familiar face around town, taking great pride in his involvement whether in the bakery or driving a company van delivering to its many retail outlets.

Mrs Rushby said: "He was a workaholic. Until quite recently he worked 12 hours a day, often from one o'clock in the morning. He was very proud of his little empire."

Mr Dawson had been taken ill in summer and underwent a major operation. Three weeks ago he returned to hospital. He spent the last week of his life in Wigan and Leigh Hospice where he died last weekend.

On Monday, a funeral service will be held at St George's Church, Tyldesley followed by interment at Leigh Cemetery.