A FORMER mayor of Darwen, who was heavily involved in church work, has died suddenly, aged 77.

Tribute has been paid Frank Haslam of Queen's Road, Darwen, by his widow Alice. He was taken into hospital suffering from chest pains and collapsed on Wednesday morning.

Mrs Haslam said: "Highfield Congregational Church had been Frank's life for the last 35 years.

"He will be sadly missed because he would do anything for anybody."

The couple, who have no children, were mayor and mayoress of Darwen in 1964 to 1965. Mr Haslam, a former director of Darwen Light Castings of Vale Foundry, was given the honour of becoming mayor despite being defeated in that year's local elections. He represented the Whitehall area on the old Darwen Town Council for the Liberals.

The funeral is at at Highfield Congregational Church, where Mr Haslam was active as a pastor, deacon and committee chairman, on Thursday, August 12, at 10am. Family flowers only but donations can be made to Highfield Congregational Church c/o Darwen Funeral Services, 59-61 Blackburn Road, Darwen.

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