BOLTON is set to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela.

A two-day tribute to the “giant of history” has been organised by the African Community Association of Bolton just days after world leaders joined tens of thousands of people at a memorial service to the former South Africa President in Johannesburg.

Nat Biney, association chairman, said: “People from around the world attended his memorial. It brought people together who wanted to pay their respect to this man, showing how good this man is.

“He brought peace, and democracy into society. We in Bolton want to show our respects to the man.”

The celebration of Mr Mandela’s life will start at 3pm in Cheadle Square, Bolton town centre, where people will gather before a procession to the University of Bolton which will arrive at 5.30pm.

Activities will include prayers, cultural dancing, singing and drumming.

The Mayor and Mayoress, Cllr Colin Shaw and his wife, Dee, as well as other civic dignitaries are expected to attend. Cllr Shaw will sign the book of condolence at the university.

On Sunday, a service will be held at Bolton Parish Church at 10.30am where prayers will be said for the anti-apartheid hero. Yesterday, politicians celebrated the life of Mr Mandela at a music-filled service in Parliament.

Peers, MPs and invited guests took part in the commemorative service at Westminster Hall to mark the death of South Africa’s first black president last Thursday at the age of 95.

Tomorrow, Mr Mandela’s body will be flown to Qunu, his home in Eastern Cape Province, ahead of his funeral on Sunday.

The book of condolence opened in Bolton for people to pay tribute to the revolutionary has so far been signed by MP Yasmin Qureshi, Westhoughton Mayor and Cllr Christopher Peacock and Bolton Council chief executive Sean Harriss.