FRIENDS and neighbours in Clayton-le-Moors turned out to pay their last respects to well-known local character Eddie Robinson, 46, who died last month.

Families, shopkeepers and former work colleagues from Machine Fabricators lined the pavements as the funeral cortege passed along Barnes Street on its way to Accrington Crematorium.

Mr Robinson's brothers and sisters and 11-year-old daughter Louise led around 70 mourners who filled the crematorium chapel.

Among the many floral tributes was a huge bunch of red roses from Louise.

Her poignant hand-written card read: "Dear dad, I'll never forget the good times we had, love Louise."

Following the service, the floral tributes were laid on the doorstep of Mr Robinson's home, with the message cards pinned to the front door.

A 22-year-old Clayton-le-Moors man has appeared in court charged with the murder of Mr Robinson, who was taken to Blackburn Infirmary shortly after midnight on July 24 and died soon afterwards.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.