A FORMER council leader will be remembered for his “courage, belief and common sense”, his family and friends were told.

Christ The King RC Church in Burnley was packed for the funeral of John Entwistle, of Pritchard Street, who died last month, aged 80, after a long battle with cancer.

Father Brian Kealey said the service was an occasion for the Roman Catholic community of Burnley to remember the life of a man who held several leading political positions, competed in the Commonwealth Games and was a stalwart of the trade union movement.

He said: “The Roman Catholic community of Burnley will give thanks for the life of John Entwistle.”

Mr Kealey said Mr Entwistle, who was married to Kathleen for 50 years, would also be remembered as a “great family man”.

The retired telephone engineer also leaves sons Gerard, John and Frank, and daughter Claire, along with three grandchildren.

Mr Entwistle served as both a county and borough councillor, was leader of Burnley Council, police authority chairman, a county council chairman and Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire.

As a younger man he competed in cycling at the 1958 Empire Games, now known as the Commonwealth Games, in Cardiff.

Following the service, Mr Entwistle was interred at Burnley Cemetery before a wake was held at Rosegrove Unity club.

Mourners joining family and friends included Mayor and Mayoress of Burnley Coun Charlie and Irene Bullas, Lancashire County Council chairman, County Coun John Shedwick, former Burnley mayor Coun John Harbour and ex-Burnley MP Peter Pike.

Donations are being accepted by undertakers Alderson and Horan, in memory of Mr Entwistle, in aid of Pendleside Hospice.