Fred's drive past honour as town pays its respects

Councillor Fred heyworth's funeral cortege passes the Civic Office, Leyland, on Thursday morning, March 10

Mr Heyworth’s funeral service was held at St Aidan’s Church, Bamber Bridge, on Thursday morning.

On its way to the church, folk lined the pavement and bowed their heads in honour as the cortege drove past the Civic Centre, Leyland.

Mr Heyworth served as a South Ribble councillor from May, 1995, with a two-year break between 1999-2001.

He sat on appeals, council, planning and the standards committee.

He also served as Farington division councillor at Lancashire County Council from 2005-2009.

Councillor Margaret Smith, leader of South Ribble Borough Council described Mr Heyworth as “an extremely valued, long standing councillor”.

Councillor Paul Foster, leader of the opposition at South Ribble Borough Council, said he was “a real old school politician” and “a good friend and a true gentlemen”.

Also paying tribute, county councillor Matthew Tomlinson, of Leyland central division. said of councillor Heyworth: “Fred was a great constant in the local Labour Party over the last 20 years.

“I valued his common sense advice and calm demeanour enormously.

“Whether it was his passion for the work of the children’s centre or the support he gave to other, younger councillors, Fred never gave less than 100 per cent. “He will leave a big hole in the Labour movement.

“I will miss him terribly.”