A FORMER Bolton district judge has died after falling 10 feet from a ladder in a churchyard.

The funeral of Gerald Taylor, aged 75, was due to take place at Rivington Parish Church today.

Mr Taylor suffered head and spinal injuries after the fall as he worked in Rivington Parish Church yard on Horrobin Lane.

Mr Taylor, who retired from his job as a judge at Bolton Crown Court in 1991, led the churchyard maintenance team at Rivington.

He was carrying out routine work at the yard when the accident happened last Wednesday.

Mr Taylor was air-lifted to the Royal Preston Hospital by the North West Air Ambulance but he died later from his injuries.

Mr Taylor was an active member of the church and of the Rotary Club of Bolton. He joined in 1977 and was president of the Bolton group from 1993-94. He also served as president of the Rotary Club of Ellesmere Port.

Bolton Rotary Club member Mark Relph paid tribute to him. He said: "He was still a very keen and active member of the Rotary Club and was involved in lots of our activities."

Mr Taylor, who lived at Wigan Lane, Heath Charnock, near Chorley, leaves a wife, Jackie, son Roger and daughter-in-law Wendy.