HUNDREDS of mourners on Monday afternoon attended the funeral of a top detective from Bolton who investigated some of the town's biggest cases

Bill Fernside, aged 58, of Bolton died on Sunday last week in Bolton Hospice after a long battle against cancer.

Det Supt Fernside had retired after working for more than 30 years as a police officer under three different forces, Bolton Borough, Lancashire Constabulary and Greater Manchester Police.

He had investigated a string of top cases including the murder of pensioner Bill McGrath, the "wheelie bin" killing of Bolton secretary Kath Chappell, the mosque murder at Daubhill of Valli Patel and he was also involved in the case of the Farnworth Hall shooting of security guard Ian Foster

Hundreds of people attended the funeral service at Bolton Parish Church which was followed by a private committal.

The family have requested donations to Bolton Hospice or Cancer Research UK.

He leaves behind his wife Susan and daughter Susie.

His other daughter, young horse rider Caroline, died of meningitis in August 2001, aged 23, after becoming ill just hours after winning a trophy at a horse show near Warrington.

Det Supt Fernside was head of Bolton CID until 1994 when he transferred to GMP's Y department which investigates internal affairs and complaints.

He joined the police in 1966 as a beat bobby with the Lancashire County Police and Bolton Borough police forces.

He worked as a beat officer at Astley Bridge and after being promoted to sergeant in 1975, he worked at Salford and Swinton before becoming an instructor at the former police training school in Manchester.

After being promoted to Inspector, he worked at Moss Side, Astley Bridge and CID headquarters at Chester House. As Det Chief Insp, he then took charge of CID at Astley Bridge in 1986.

After moving up to the rank of Det Supt, he took over Greater Manchester Police's CID support services in 1989. The following year he was promoted to full rank of Det Supt and became head of CID in Bolton.

Former colleagues have been lining up to pay tribute to him.

Det Sgt John Fellows, who still works in CID at Bolton, said: "He was a true copper. He was involved in some of the town's biggest cases and was very methodical.

"He loved Bolton and everything about the town. He never forgot where he came from."

Former Bolton Evening News news editor John Horne, who worked as a crime reporter for the newspaper for 15 years, said: "I am shocked to hear about his death. He was very dedicated, approachable and professional. He will be sadly missed."