Famous Preston window cleaner Arthur Eteson has died

He was a familiar face in Preston, known for cleaning windows on Ribbleton Lane for more than three decades.

After the sad news of his passing last week, November 20, aged 79, the Top Cafe and Uncle's Pawnbrokers have been raising money for his funeral, as it is believed he has no living family left.

And was busy cleaning windows right up until the day before his death.

Helen Ball, Manager of Top Cafe said: "I don't think he has had any other family for many years and when he passed, he had no next of kin and no one to organise his funeral.

"Everyone on Ribbleton Lane knows him, he was a familiar face and has practically cleaned every window on this road for decades.

"When he died, he was left with nothing. He was the sort of person that everyone just thought would live forever. In the 18 months I have worked here he has been cleaning our windows.

"So many people have contacted the cafe and it just shows what people thought of him. It is overwhelming how popular he was in the area and he will be missed."

A Facebook post from Top Café described Arthur as ‘selfless’ and expresses that the collection is to give Arthur ‘the send off he deserves’.

Lee Cheetham, of Uncle's Pawnbrokers, had been a close friend to Arthur for more than 30 years and says he 'had a heart of gold'

He said: "He was a much loved face at our Preston Store and highly regarded in the surrounding area.

"He had a heart of gold and would always put others before himself. He has no known family so we hope the community of Preston can give this gentleman the send off he rightly deserves."

Donations to the collections can be made by visiting Top Café or Uncles Pawnbrokers.