FORMER Bury MP has died, aged 87, following a prolonged illness.

Mr John Bidgood, Conservative MP for Bury and Radcliffe from 1955 to 1964, passed away last Friday (Aug 17) at Harrogate General Hospital.

During his political career Mr Bidgood, originally from Leeds, was a Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance.

Friend Maurice Healey said: "John was a great raconteur and a more than useful snooker player. We will all miss him."

Mr Bidgood leaves behind a wife, Sheila, and two daughters.