THE Bishop of Lancaster, the Right Reverend John Brewer, died this week after a lengthy battle against cancer.

Bishop Brewer, 70, had been suffering from cancer of the bladder for six years, and finally lost his fight for life at last weekend.

His secretary, Father David Burns was at his side and thanked him for all he had done for the diocese.

Bishop Brewer had been recuperating at Boarbank Hall, Grange-over-Sands after a course of radiotherapy at the Royal Preston Hospital, but complications arose and he was returned to hospital.

His funeral takes place on Monday, with Archbishop Patrick Kelly, Archbishop of Liverpool as preacher and Archbishop Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, Archbishop of Westminster as main celebrant.

A Mass of Reception will take place at 6.30pm on Sunday night.

Tributes have been flooding in to the late bishop since his death was announced.

Morecambe and Lunesdale MP Geraldine Smith, herself a Roman Catholic, said: "I thought he was a very lovely man and a very holy man. I met him on several occasions and attended services which he conducted. I was very sad to hear of his death."

The Church of England Bishop of Blackburn, the Right Reverend Alan Chesters, said: "The churches of Lancashire have lost a distinguished scholar and a wise and pastorally-hearted bishop who worked tirelessly, not only for his own community but also the greater unity of the churches."

A 'very sad' Lancaster MP Hilton Dawson added: "When I first became an MP, Bishop Brewer was among the first to offer his friendship and support.

He was a kind and caring man who wanted only the best for the people of Lancaster."

Bishop Brewer was born in Burnage, Manchester, the only son of Eric Brewer, a market trader and Laura Brewer. He was educated at St Mary's, Levenshulme; Our Lady and the Apostles, Stockport and studied for the priesthood at Ushaw College, Durham and the Venerable English College, Rome. He was ordained on July 8 1956 at the Church of Twelve Apostles, Rome.

On his return to England he was appointed assistant priest at Sacred Heart Church, Moreton, Merseyside, where he worked for five years.

In 1964 he was appointed as Vice-Rector of the Venerable English College, Rome before being named as auxiliary Bishop of Shrewsbury diocese in 1971.

He became co-adjutor Bishop of Lancaster in 1983 and was installed as the fourth Bishop of Lancaster on May 22.

During his time as Bishop, he helped to establish a Catholic Library in Preston.

He also undertook major restoration work at the Cathedral of St Peter in Lancaster.