THE senior representative of a Lancashire family law firm dating back several centuries has died suddenly, aged 80.

Thomas Woodcock, of Hurst Green, enjoyed a distinguished legal career and was senior partner of Woodcock and Sons, Haslingden.

When attorneys were first registered in 1730, the name of John Woodcock, of Woodcock Hall, Cuerden, appeared on the roll.

The Haslingden firm was started by James Woodcock in the 1830s.

Mr Woodcock was educated at Uppingham School and Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He qualified as a solicitor in 1949, after serving as a captain in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War.

From 1969 to 1984 represented Central Lancashire and Northern Greater Manchester on the Central Council of the Law Society.

Mr Woodcock was the first chairman of the Law Society's committee on computer services.

In 1981 he became chairman of the Law Society's non-contentious business committee, was clerk to the General Commissioners of Taxes for the Rochdale Division and was president of the Association of Clerks to Commissioners of Taxes for England and Wales from 1983-87.

Mr Woodcock married Mary Woodcock, of Holcombe, in 1950, and moved to Hurst Green where he became the first president of Hurst Green Bowling Club.

He is survived by his wife, son Thomas, daughter Catherine and nine-year-old grandson Francis. His funeral is at St John's Church, Hurst Green, at 2pm on Friday.

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