A MEMBER of Rawtenstall, Edgeside and District Gardeners for more than 40 years, Michael Jackson has died, aged 82.

Michael, of Almond Crescent, Rawtenstall, used to be a window cleaner in Rawtenstall and Waterfoot and used to go round the local businesses collecting for the society's shows. He was also a vice-president of the Gardeners for many years. Secretary Dawn Taylor said: "Everybody knew Michael, he was very active on our committee and I remember well his garden at Fairfield Avenue, Edgeside, it was always marvellous, full of dahlias and chrysanthemums and he lived sweet peas.

"He was a very popular man."

The funeral will be on Saturday when Mr Lynn Millard, from the British Humanist Society will conduct a service at the Chapel of Rest, Fred Hamer's, Rawtenstall, at 10.30am before a cremation at Burnley.

Michael was a member of Rawtenstall Conservative Club, Rawtenstall Discharges and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors Club, the Friends of the School of Art and the Popular Club in Accrington.