SCORES of dignitaries from the legal profession and the world of sport attended the funeral of solicitor Peter Lawson.

Mr Lawson, 61, of Grange Road, Cliviger, was buried yesterday at St John the Divine, Holme-in-Cliviger, where he was a church warden.

During the service, officiated by the Rev Lawrence Laycock, Mr Lawson's younger son Andrew read a poem in tribute to his father.

Andrew and his elder brother David, who is a solicitor at Donald, Race and Newton, Burnley, where Mr Lawson was a senior partner, were two of the pall bearers.

Mr Lawson is survived by his wife Irene, mother Marjorie, sister Margaret, sons David and Andrew and grandson Tom.

Apart from being a past president of the Burnley and District Law Society, Mr Lawson was also past president of the East Lancashire Golf Association, president and former captain of Burnley Golf Club, chairman of Burnley Cricket Club, past player of both Lowerhouse and Burnley Cricket Clubs and a member of Burnley Pendleside Rotary Club.

Judge Raymond Bennett and many local solicitors represented the law profession at the funeral. There were also representatives from ELGA and member golf clubs and Lancashire League cricket clubs. A Burnley Grammar School Old Boy, Mr Lawson was a governor of Habergham High School which was represented by headmaster David Clayton.

Burnley Football Club, of which Mr Lawson was a passionate supporter, was represented by directors Frank Teasdale and John Turkington and club secretary Kathy Pickup. Former chairman and barrister John Jackson was also in attendance.

Ex-players Brian Miller, Andy Lochhead, Frank Casper and Peter Noble were among the congregation.

Mr Lawson's family asked for donations if desired to be made to Pendleside hospice.

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