EDGAR Bell, a founder member of Bolton Probus Club has died, aged 88.

Mr Bell, from Heaton, was a manager with the Royal Bank of Scotland until his retirement.

A former borough councillor, he and a handful of other retired businessmen and professional people met in 1970 to discuss forming a club.

He was later to become a president of the organisation, which 28 years later, now has 88 members who meet fortnightly at the St John's Centre in Halliwell.

Mr Bell was also a former president of the National Union of Bank Employees.

He died in hospital last week after a long illness and his funeral was on Thursday with a service at Christ Church, Heaton followed by committal at Overdale crematorium.

He leaves a wife, Lilian and sister Mrs Winifred Birchall.

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