A FORMER Mayor and architect of Warrington's first town twinning scheme has died at the age of 91.

Arthur Boyle was elected as a councillor for Fairfield in 1946, and served the ward until 1974. He was a member of many committees and became a borough councillor in June 1973 and served until 1979.

In 1967, Mr Boyle became Mayor of Warrington and was elected an Alderman for the county borough. The following year, he was one of the signatories of the Partnership Agreement between Warrington and Hilden, Germany. In 1969 he served as Deputy Mayor for two years.

Paying tribute to Mr Boyle, Council Leader John Gartside said: "Arthur signed the town twinning agreement with Halton at a very early stage. He had a very international outlook, and it's interesting that two of his sons now live abroad.

"He was full of old fashioned courtesy and charm, and very committed to Warrington."

"Arthur had a very generous concept of public service and gave freely of his time and energy," he said.

Mr Boyle died suddenly at Warrington Hospital last Friday. He leaves three sons - John, who still lives in Warrington, Alban, who lives in Johannesburg, and Anthony, who also lives abroad.

Mr Boyle's body was received at St Bendedict's Church yesterday. Thursday. Requiem mass takes place today, Friday, at the church at 9.30am, followed by a burial at Fox Covert Cemetery, at 10.45am.

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