FORMER chairman of Rixton with Glazebrook Parish Council, Mr Brian Ardern, died in St Rocco's Hospice on Sunday after a long illness. He was 50.

Mr Ardern, who lived at Glazebrook Lane, Glazebrook, served on many village committees and was a governor of St Helen's CE Primary School, Hollins Green.

He leaves a widow, Margaret, and daughter, Julie, and a son, Stephen.

The funeral service will take place at St Helen's Church, Hollinfare, tomorrow, Friday, at 11.30am. The Rev Robert Varley of Worsley will officiate. There are family flowers and donations for Hollinfare church and St Rocco's.