A POPULAR window cleaner fell 45 feet to his death from a block of flats in Whitefield.

Mr Ted Siddall was cleaning a window on the top floor of a four-storey block in Pinfold Lane, when the tragedy happened.

Mr Siddall (64), who was affectionately called "the singing window cleaner", was working with his son-in-law, Denis, at Pinfold Court on Thursday (June 3) last week, when he fell from his ladders, hitting a car porch.

He was taken to North Manchester General Hospital in Crumpsall, where he later died.

Mr George Sharples, caretaker at Pinfold Court, heard Denis's shouts for help and assisted Mr Siddall until the Rapid Response Vehicle and ambulance arrived within minutes.

Mr Sharples said: "I was making myself a cup of tea when I heard the son-in-law shout for help and for a phone. I went outside and Mr Siddall was lying on the ground. He did not look well at all."

Mr Sharples said he believed Mr Siddall had cleaned the windows at Pinfold Court for around 26 years and he was always pleasant. His round also included Whitefield Golf Club and other houses in the area.

Mr Sharples added: "His death has hit everyone here very hard. He would stop and chat to residents on their verandas while he cleaned the windows. He was a lovely man and I would always have a brew ready for him after he had finished."

Mr Siddall, of Breightmet, Bolton but formerly

of Radcliffe, was a keen golfer and had just returned home from a golfing trip in Scotland.

He leaves a wife, Petra, children Tom, Clare and Eddie, and a grandson, Owen. His family were too upset to comment.

An inquest is expected to open next week.

Mr Siddall is the second window cleaner to die while working in Whitefield in the last 12 months.

Mr Carl Hibbert (28), from Bolton, fell 40ft from his ladder last August while cleaning windows at Deborah Court, in Clegg Street.

At his inquest two weeks ago, a Bolton Coroner halted proceedings pending further inquiries into the length of time it took for an ambulance to attend.