THE funeral of a Middlewich man who fell to his death from a Snowdonia peak is to be held today, Wednesday.

Family and friends will gather at St Michael and All Angels Church, on St Michael's Way, at 1pm to pay tribute to 58-year-old William John Malloy.

The experienced walker plunged 50ft from the summit of the Tryfan mountain on Sunday, April 17.

Mr Malloy, of Rushton Drive, was climbing with a regular group of friends near the 3,000ft summit of the North West Wales peak when the accident occurred.

Helicopters and a 40-strong team of rescuers were sent to the scene during the seven-hour operation but low cloud hampered rescue efforts and remaining expedition members had to begin walking down the mountain before being airlifted to safety.

Team leader Al Reed, of Ogwen Valley Mountain Rescue, said: "Conditions underfoot were treacherous with wet, slushy snow."

Spokesman Chris Lloyd added: "The point from which Mr Malloy fell is crossed by thousands of people every year. I believe Mr Malloy was equipped for the day and was well experienced. This was a true and unfortunate accident."

A cremation at Crewe crematorium will follow the service at 2pm.