FORMER rugby club chairman and prominent solicitor Geoffrey Hilton has died aged 65.

Mr Hilton, a senior partner at solicitors Stanley Evans & Co in Culcheth, was a former president of the Leigh Law Society, a past chairman of Bury Rugby Union Club and a member of the Three Towns Operatic Society.

He chaired the tribunal for appeals services for social services and had been a member of Leigh Baptist Church since his teens, serving at one time as a deacon.

Mr Hilton's widow Vivienne said: "He would try to maintain very high standards in everything he did. He was very competent and efficent, but he also had a soft centre.

"A lot of his clients said how kind he was to them."

Leigh-born Mr Hilton, who had two sons, Ian and Andrew, attended Leigh Parish School and later Bolton School before studying at Nottingham University.

He moved to Culcheth in 1963 when he got married and worked at Stanley Evans & Co from the early 1960s until retirement three years ago.

A keen sports fan, Mr Hilton became involved with Bury Rugby Union Club during his school days, and played until he was in his 40s.

After he stopped playing he became more involved in the administration side, filling several posts over the years, including that of secretary and chairman.

Mrs Hilton said: "He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He led a full and happy life. I think he maybe enriched the lives of those he came into contact with. He was very good company. He was very witty and had a tremendous sense of humour."

Mr Hilton died at Warrington General Hospital and his funeral was held at Leigh Baptist Church.