FORMER Ribble Valley parish councillor William Henry Holgate, known as ‘Uncle Billy’, has died.

The 75-year-old farmer, a member of the Castle Masonic Lodge and former member of Clitheroe Round Table, died after a long illness death on March 10.

His niece Helen Mellin, of Wigglesworth, said: “Billy was well liked and respected and had many good friends.

“He was one of the last true characters of Pendleton and had a great and sometimes wicked sense of humour which he shared with his friends in The Swan With Two Necks pub.”

Born in 1934 at Higher Standen Hey Farm, Pendleton, he worked as a farmer all his life. He was the son of the late Ernest and Martha Ellen Holgate and younger brother of the late Florence.

Ms Mellin added: “He was not only our uncle, but our best friend. We had many happy times with him.”

He attended Barrow Primary School followed by a short spell at Ribblesdale, then Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Blackburn.

Billy was also a former member of the Clitheroe 41 Club, Clitheroe Young Farmers and an honorary life member of Clitheroe Golf Club, His funeral takes place at All Saints' Church, Pendleton, on Friday at 2.30pm followed by interment in the churchyard.