FORMER mayor and long-serving Labour councillor, Charles Elson, died on Friday in Leighton Hospital.

He was 88 and had been ill for some time.

He will be remembered as a fiesty and outspoken people's champion with a mischievious sense of humour and a twinkle in his eye.

He leaves a widow, Mary, two daughters Mrs Marjorie Edge and Mrs Diane Bennett and seven grandchildren.

Born in Crewe, Charlie served his home town in many capacities, including forty years on the political scene. In 1992 he was honoured with the title of Alderman.

He was mayor twice. The first time was in 1959 with the Crewe Borough.

His second year in the office was in 1987-88. His duties included acting as host to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh during an official visit to the railway town.

A widower, following the death of his first wife, Eileen, Charlie invited his sister, Mrs Doreen Carless to be mayoress.

He married his second wife, formerly Mary Aitken, 13 years ago and supported her in her work for the Pensioners' Association.

Charlie began his working life in the Crewe works and after a spell with a Manchester aviation company returned to the town to the clerical department of Rolls-Royce factory where he became Works Convenor.

The funeral is on Monday, April 23. A service at North Street chapel at 10.45am will be followed by cremation.

Conducting the church service will be former minister, the Rev Tony Tagg who acted as his chaplain during Charlie's second mayoral year.

There will be family flowers only with donations requested for Leighton Hospital's Ward 7. Enquiries to Oxleys, Crewe.

Picture- Charles Elson with the Queen during her visit when he was Mayor.