A CIVIC funeral is to be held at Blackburn Cathedral next week for the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen Coun Mike Barrett.

Coun Barrett, 56, died on Monday night in Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, after a period of illness brought on by kidney problems.

Discussions between the local authority and Coun Barrett's family are taking place to make arrangements for the funeral, which is expected to be at the end of next week.

It is expected that senior council members, chief officers, representatives from the council's partners and people Coun Barrett represented within the community will attend.

As a mark of respect, all mayoral engagements, which would normally have been carried out by the Deputy Mayor, Coun David Foster, have been cancelled until after the funeral.

A candle was also lit yesterday in the cathedral by Canon Andrew Hindley.

Phil Watson, chief executive of the council said: "We are discussing the arrangements with the Mayoress and the cathedral authorities and we expect the service to take place next week."

Coun Barrett has had three separate stints as a councillor for the borough.

He was first elected in 1976 and served until May 1983.

He was later elected in 1995 before being elected for his most recent Earcroft ward in May 1997.

He was re-elected to the ward in 2001 and served his local community until his death.

Councillor Barrett and his wife Moira had served as first citizens since May 2003.

They are also foster carers for their two grandchildren Christopher and Adam. He spent his professional life working in housing and particularly with homeless people and other vulnerable groups.

Coun Barrett's career took him from Blackburn to Liverpool, London, Bolton and Blackpool.

As a councillor he held posts as chairman of finance, vice-chairman of housing, and was lead member for resources.

His charity - United We Stand, Divided We Fall - was raising money for vulnerable people in the borough.