THE SUDDEN death of Roy Hulme has shocked his Darwen Labour Party colleagues and triggered a host of tributes from people whose lives he touched.

The well-respected constituency chairman, who led the local party for over 15 years, died last Tuesday morning. He had been suffering from cancer.

Mr Hulme worked tirelessly across the constituency, which also covers the Rossendale area, in his efforts to promote Labour's ideas and candidates.

The Darwen man's proudest moment as chairman came in 1992, with the election of Janet Anderson as the constituency's first woman MP and first Labour representative of his home town.

Mrs Anderson said: "Roy has been the backbone of the Rossendale and Darwen Labour Party for as long as I can remember.

"I will always be indebted to him for his support and encouragement. Indeed I think it is fair to say that it it was not for Roy, I would not now be the constituency's MP."

She added: "He will be missed by us all, but the greatest loss is to his wife Christine and his family. My thoughts are very much with them."

Constituency secretary, Councillor Dave Hancock, said: "Having worked with Roy for several years, I know what a great loss this will be to all of us in the local party. On behalf of the membership I would like to extend our sincere sympathies to Christine and the family at this time."

A funeral service will be held at St Peter's RC Church, Mill Hill, tomorrow (Friday, August 2) at 1.15pm. Mr Hulme leaves a step-daughter, Justine, and a grand-daughter, Lauren.

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