TRIBUTES have been paid to a former council chief executive who directed a town through a decade of change.

Clifford Singleton, 75, lost his battle against cancer in East Lancashire Hospice on Christmas Day. He had been ill for four months.

During a career in local government which spanned 46 years he became known as one of the Blackburn's most devoted sons - an achievement which won him an OBE.

Mr Singleton, a former pupil of Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School, leaves a widow, Kathleen, three children Christine, Michael and Karen, and five grandchildren Nicholas, Katharine, Matthew, Jennifer and Thomas.

After a brief spell in Blackburn Council treasurer's department he served as a fighter pilot with the Fleet Air Arm, serving in HMS Victorious. He rose to the rank of lieutenant and was mentioned in dispatches.

After a two-year posting at the Department of Municipal Affairs in Toronto, Canada, he returned to his beloved Lancashire and studied for a degree in administration at Manchester University.

By 1974 "the man of vision" had been promoted to the town's top job and was at the helm until 1985. Mr Singleton, who lived in Lammack Road, Blackburn, stayed active after his retirement.

Four years ago he gained a law degree from the University of Central Lancashire. He also became involved with a number of groups and organisations, including Salford University, East Lancashire Cable Television, Lancashire Enterprises, Help The Aged and the Scouting movement.

His son, Michael Singleton, deputy coroner for Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, said: "He was a true son of Blackburn. His local government career took him all over the country and to Canada but he was always stayed dedicated to his home town."

Blackburn with Darwen council leader Malcolm Doherty added: "I knew Clifford for 25 years. The thing that impressed me most about him was that he was a Blackburn man through and through.

"He worked hard to project the image of the town and was a very effective chief executive at a very difficult time.

"He was well liked by many people and will be sadly missed."

Acting council chief executive Phil Watson offered his sympathies to Mr Singleton's family.

"Clifford was a great ambassador for the borough. During his time as chief executive he did a great deal of work to promote the many aspects of life in borough, especially economic development."

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