A WELL-known businessman has died aged 77 after a short illness.

Ken Yates, who ran Ken's Chippy on Ainsworth Lane, Tonge Fold, for 26 years died on Wednesday in the Royal Bolton Hospital after suffering a number of strokes.

The chip shop, which was sold by Mr Yates in 1988, has since had many owners and is now a Chinese take-away.

Mr Yates and his wife Irene took over the shop in 1972 after previously running a chip shop in Fanworth.

The couple lived in Tonge Fold and had five children.

Mr Yates' son, also called Ken, said: "He was well-known and well-liked by all those who knew him.

"He was a committee member at Tonge and Breightmet Conservative where he used to enjoy spending a lot of his time with friends and he will be missed."