THE family of a well-respected ex-funeral director have paid tribute to his life.

Edward Birtwistle, 74, from Great Harwood, died last Saturday after a short illness.

Mr Birtwistle was the fifth generation of his family to work in the funeral business, ET Birtwistle and Sons, which started in 1832.

The grandfather-of-five grew up with the business and took over the reins in the mid-1950s when he went into partnership with brother-in-law Joseph Livesey. They went on to purchase Talbot Funeral Service, Blackburn in 1976 followed by Rishton Funeral Service, Rishton, later renamed George Harwood & Son.

Mr Livesey died in the 1970s and Mr Birtwistle ran the business until retirement in 1988. His son Thomas Birtwistle and daughter, Laura Henderson now run the business.

After his retirement Mr Birtwistle divided his time between homes in Great Harwood and Benidorm, Spain and was a keen fisherman, painter and walker.

Daughter Laura, 43, also of Great Harwood, said: "He had a lot of respect for everybody he arranged funerals for. He had a lovely gentle way. He was also well thought of by other funeral directors and the local community."

Service and cremation will be held at Pleasington Cemetery at 11am tomorrow.