AN apprentice who worked his way up to become managing director has died at the age of 82.

Atherton-born Harold Schofield left St George's Junior and Hesketh Fletcher Secondary schools to take up an engineering apprenticeship at 14 with Blakemore's nut and bolt works. He worked his way to the top retiring 19 years ago after 49 years with the firm. The Bag Lane works, which had become part of the GKN concern, closed down six months later.

His wife Mildred, of Green Hall Close, Atherton, said: "He was very well liked as a boss. He finished at the age of 63 because he didn't like making redundant the people he had worked with all his life."

A lifelong Bolton Wanderers' fan he had been a talented player himself turning out at centre forward for Southport and Accrington Stanley. He captained Blakemore's Atherton Charity Cup-winning side of 1948.

After retirement he and Mildred enjoyed crown green bowling trips to Tenerife, Benidorm and Cyprus.

Great-grandfather Mr Schofield leaves a wife, and a son Harry, three grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The funeral service and committal took place today (Thursday) at Howe Bridge Crematorium.BLAKEMORE'S GKN

A keen footballer and bowler