TRIBUTES have been paid to an admired former borough treasurer who has died at the age of 67.

John Cook, who spent 34 years in local government, started his career with Bury Borough Council in 1965.

He then moved to Urmston in 1967 but returned to Bury in 1969, where he stayed until he took early retirement in 1998. Mr Cook served as assistant director of finance at the council from 1982 and as borough treasurer from 1994 to 1998.

At last week’s full council meeting, Mayor of Bury Cllr Michelle Wiseman paid tribute to Mr Cook, as did all councillors, and observed a short period of silence in his memory.

Cllr Wiseman said: “John is remembered with great fondness by those who worked with him and our thoughts are with his widow, Anne, and his family.”

Mr Cook, who had previously lived in Walmersley with his wife, also leaves grown-up sons Stephen and Stuart.

His funeral was held on Friday in King’s Lynn, Norfolk.