A POPULAR former South Ribble councillor has died after a long illness.

Gordon Thorpe was 78 when he died in hospital from a lung disease on Friday. He had been fighting against the illness for three years.

Mr Thorpe retired from politics in 1995, after serving as a Farington representative. He had been Mayor of South Ribble and the chairman of the Lostock Hall carnival committee during his career.

Friend and fellow politician Councillor Ken Palmer said: "He was a very, very conscientious councillor and very hard working. He was involved in all the committees and a very active member of the community. He will be very sadly missed by everyone that knew him."