A STALWART of the Labour Party and former vice president of Burnley FC has died aged 84.

Raymond Hill died after a stroke at Thornton Hill Care Home, Thornton-in-Craven, on May 29.

The campaigner, of Pen Y Ghent Way, Barnoldswick, devoted most of his spare time to help the community.

His job as assistant general secretary for the General Workers Union even took him to Australia with Prince Philip.

As well as serving as a councillor in West Craven for many years, he and his late wife Barbara were avid Clarets fans and vice presidents of the club for a time.

They even owned a race horse called Up The Clarets.

His daughter Helen Frostick said: “My dad was a larger-than-life character, a brilliant laugh and a bit of a nutter.

“He was quite eccentric in many ways, but he was also a really good man who worked hard for the community.”

Born in Darwen, Ray completed his National Service during the Second World War. He met Barbara while ballroom dancing in Haslingden and the pair married in 1958.

The couple first lived in Rochdale, but moved to Barnoldswick in 1961. It was not long before Barbara converted Blackburn Rovers fan Ray to a Burnley supporter.

Ray served as a councillor in West Craven during the 1960s and 70s and also enjoyed a term as mayor of Barnoldswick.

His role with the General Workers Union took him all over the world.

On returning from Russia, where he had gone to study different working practices, he was quick to use his new found knowledge.

Helen said: “He had lots of inventions and was a bit of a failed engineer really.

“When he was in Russia he saw a wet room for the first time, so when he got back he decided we should have one in our home and set about making it.”

Ray was a member of the congregation at St Joseph’s Church and served as a governor at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary.

He was also instrumental in the formation of Lancashire Enterprises Ltd, which provided help to fledgling businesses.

And he set up the Weavers Association offices in Frank Street, Barnoldswick.

Ray leaves behind children Margaret, Helen and Peter, as well as four grandchildren.

His funeral was held at St Jospeh’s Church on Tuesday.

Former Pendle MP Gordon Prentice was among the mourners.