A ROSSENDALE councillor and former education boss is being treated in hospital after he collapsed at a meeting.

Roger Clarke was attending the meeting between members of the Labour party at Rawtenstall Town Hall on Tuesday when he suffered a suspected stroke.

He was taken to Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, where his condition was described as comfortable.

Colleagues said it was a second blow for the family after Coun Clarke's mother-in-law passed away recently. Her funeral was due to be held in Southport yesterday.

Coun Clarke, who is in his 50s, is a the former Director of Education in Rossendale and a well respected and liked member of the council.

Coun Mollie Disley said everyone at the council was in shock because Coun Clarke had no known history of illness.

She said he was talking to him prior to his collapse.

Coun Disley said: "It was an awful shock. He just fell ill, I was chatting to him, it was terrible. He's such a lovely man. We got the ambulance. He didn't complain and he said he had no pain.

"But the sad thing is his mother-in-law died and her funeral was yesterday . He has a son and it really makes you think.

"With all the bad things happening, it puts things in perspective. Your health is the most important thing.

"I'm going to get my blood pressure checked today and I advise everyone to do the same."

Coun Graham Pearson accompanied Coun Clarke in the ambulance to Fairfield along with Coun Alyson Barnes.

He said: "He was unwell and we took him to hospital. They kept him overnight, just to be sure, but when we left at 10.15pm he was a lot perkier.

Coun Clarke is due to remain in hospital until tomorrow.