A PILLAR of the Atherton community, Mrs Cecil Brook, has died at the aged of 83.

Mrs Brook, originally from Girvan, Scotland, began her association with the town in 1958 when her Lancashire-born husband, Granville, was promoted to manager of the William Deacon's bank (now the Royal Bank of Scotland) in Market Street.

The couple met when he was stationed in Scotland during the Second World War. On his promotion, they moved to Over Hulton in Bolton.

Mrs Brooks soon swung into the community spirit, becoming a member of Atherton Inner Wheel, serving as its president in 1968-69 and 1983-84, and as treasurer for many years.

Her Inner Wheel activities included helping to run the Over 70s' Club on Thursdays in the Formby Hall and enthusiastic participation in Inner Wheel dramatic productions for which she made her own costumes.

For many years, Mrs Brooks was a trolley volunteer at Atherleigh Hospital and on her husband's retirement, the couple spent Wednesday lunchtimes delivering Meals on Wheels.

In 1992, she helped found the Atherton Women's Institute and was its treasurer for 10 years.

She will also be remembered as a regular member of Atherton Luncheon Club.

She leaves a daughter, Sheilagh, and five grandchildren.

A funeral service will be conducted at St Andrew's Church, Four Lane Ends, Over Hulton on Monday at 1pm, followed by cremation at Howe Bridge Crematorium.