BURY Coroner Mr Barrie Williams has announced he is to retire from the post.

The 65-year-old is responsible for investigating and ruling on sudden deaths in the Bury, Rochdale and Oldham areas, but will step down on July 31.

Mr Williams has been a solicitor for 40 years. In 1980, he was appointed deputy coroner and was promoted to the his current status in 1993 following the retirement of Mr Bryan North.

As one of just 24 full-time coronerships in England and Wales, Mr Williams has dealt with 25,000 sudden deaths, and presided over more than 2,000 inquests.

Married and living in Oldham, he said: "I feel 40 years as a solicitor is enough and I feel it is time to retire and allow someone new to take over the job."