FORMER vicar of St Aidan's, Mill Hill, Blackburn, the Rev James McDonald, has died at the age of 66.

The retired priest, who was born in Omagh, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, died in Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Mr McDonald was ordained deacon in 1962 and became a priest the following year. He was at St Aidan's for 11 years from 1985 to 1996 before retiring. He was curate at St James, Haslingden, from 1962 to 1966 before moving to St Jude's, Preston, as vicar.

He went to St Wilfrid's, Mereside, where he stayed for 12 years and was Mothers' Union diocesan chaplain for six years.

A reception will be held on Thursday at St Mary's Church, Stonycroft Avenue, Blackpool, at 6.30pm.

A service will be held on Friday at 12.45pm before cremation at Park Crematorium, Lytham, at 2pm.

No flowers by request. Donations to The Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, c/o Father Michael Wood, St Mary's Vicarage, Stony Hill Avenue, Blackpool.

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