TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Bolton man who was Bolton’s oldest crown green bowler.

Norman Morris was well-known for walking every other day into the town in his 90s.

The 98-year-old died at Royal Bolton Hospital on April 23 after having a stroke and short illness.

He appeared in the Bolton News back in 2016 for still being found on the greens at Moss Bank Park Bowling Club the veterans section of the Bolton and District Bowling League.

He was honoured with a set of 100-year-old bowling balls bearing Bolton’s Elephant and Castle crest.

Son John Morris said: “He was a member of Heaton CC and was down Moss Bank Park and spent most of his time on the bowling greens.

“He was also well-known for going into the Finishers Arms.

“He worked on the door at Heaton CC taking money for 15 years and people talked to him in town when they recognised him.

“It was just an example of how the pandemic affected the elderly and making them lonely as he was not able to go down the town.

“We had to get his shopping delivered as we did not want him to the coronavirus if we visited Morrisons.

“He used to call it the ‘conni’ virus and he loved to go to Rivington Bowling Club cafe but it was closed too and he kept asking to go but the gates were closed so we would just go for fish and chips.”

His wife Betty died nine years ago but he was the dearly loved dad to John and Jane, a much loved father in law, a cherished grandad and great grandad and a dear friend to many.

Donations for Bolton Hospice. Details from Alison at Fred Hamer Funeral Service. Tel: 01204 844469