A FORMER mayoress of Radcliffe has died after a short illness.

Hilda McCarthy (81), died on Friday (Feb 13) in Fairfield Hospital after being taken ill five weeks ago.

Mrs McCarthy was the Mayoress of Radcliffe between 1970 and 1971, when her husband, John T. McCarthy, was the mayor.

The couple were also the Mayor and Mayoress of Bury between 1982 and 1983.

Mr McCarthy died in 1985. Mrs McCarthy leaves a son, Anthony (58), four grandchildren, and a great-grandson.

Her funeral will take place today (Fri Feb 20) at St Thomas's Church in Radcliffe at 1pm, followed by interment at Radcliffe Cemetery.