A LABOUR Party stalwart who gave much of his life to politics has died aged 79.

Former county councillor Stuart Mercer died from a heart attack at his home at Chequers, Clayton-le-Moors.

Mr Mercer began his work with the Labour Party just after the Second World War. He served three terms on Clayton-le-Moors Urban Council and was invested chairman of the council in 1967, a position he held when the Queen visited the area the following year.

He became county councillor for Rishton, Clayton-le-Moors and Altham in 1981, and served two terms on the council before retiring at the age of 70. One of the causes he championed was the public's right of access to land.

His interest in the Labour movement never waned and last year he attended the party conference as a local representative for the first time in his life. Mr Mercer was a member of the Accrington Male Voice Choir, and in recent years he also worked to help the Society for the Deaf.

Born in Altham, he lived in Clayton-le-Moors all his life. He leaves his wife Doris, his daughter Marilyn Kenyon, his sons Colin and Barrie, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

George Slynn, county councillor for Great Harwood, said: "He was a stalwart who gave his lifetime to the Labour party. It is ironic that it was not until the last year of his life that he was the delegate at the Labour party conference.

"His work for local government was discussed and paid tribute to at Friday night's GMC meeting. Stuart recognised the three-way relationship between the Labour party, the trades union movement and the co-operative. He will be sadly missed."

His funeral will be held at Accrington Crematorium on Wednesday, at 2.30pm. There are no flowers by request, but donations may be made either to the Society for the Deaf or to Accrington Male Voice Choir.

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