TRIBUTES have been paid to a "true gentleman" former Mayor of Bolton who died at the age of 86.

Gerald Riley, a previous Labour councillor who was Mayor of Bolton between 1991 and 1992, died on July 28.

Mr Riley leaves behind his wife Eileen — a retired nurse who acted as his mayoress during his year in office.

He was father to Janet, Jill and the late Lynne, who were all also nurses, and had three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mr Riley was born in 1930 and was employed as a tailor’s cutter at Burton’s for 34 years – where he was a representative of the tailors and garment workers union – before working for British Aerospace between 1979 and 1991.

He represented the Halliwell ward between 1972 and 1975 before being elected to the former Derby ward – which covers most of Great Lever – in 1978.

He was elected to the same ward but with new boundaries in 1980, when there was an all out election because the number of councillors was reduced, and served there until he retired in 2002.

Cllr Nick Peel said: “He was very well respected and well liked by members of all parties.

“I would describe him as a true gentleman. He always had a kind word and he was always very helpful to constituents and anybody who needed assistance.

“He will be very fondly and remembered by all his former colleagues and constituents.”

Over the years Mr Riley was a member of Bolton Labour party’s management committee and chairman of the Halliwell Ward Association.

As chairman of Bolton Council’s leisure services committee, in June 1996 he opened the Westhoughton Gardens of Remembrance.

Mr Riley’s funeral will take place on Thursday at Overdale Crematorium’s West Chapel at noon.

His family have asked that there are family flowers only and that any donations in his memory, if desired, are made to the Alzheimer’s Society.