BLACKBURN and Darwen said its farewell to the mayor as VIPs joined the borough's residents at a civic funeral.

Mourners packed into Blackburn Cathedral for the funeral of Mike Barrett and heard him described as an energetic, considerate man who fought for the marginalised and victimised.

Not since the death of Herbert Vaughan Dowdall, who died as Mayor on December 17th, 1957, had the town witnessed such scenes.

Mr Barrett, 56, was councillor for Earcroft ward in Darwen and had been mayor since May 2003.

He died in his sleep last month at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, after suffering kidney problems.

He left wife, Moira, who was mayoress, and two grandchildren and a stepson.

Before the cathedral service, a procession, led by Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Sir Bill Taylor carrying the borough's mayoral chains, moved quietly through the town.

Shoppers stood in silence with their heads bowed and flags outside public buildings were flown at half mast.

The Dean of Blackburn, the Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, said: "Mike did not just preach the gospel, he lived it. He earned respect from everyone and his easy going manner was greatly appreciated by everyone."

The Dean said Coun Barrett had worked with the homeless in Liverpool and London, before returning to Lancashire to single-handedly look after his sick father.

Gail Barton, a friend and former confidante of the Mayor, said at the service: "Mike was a solid, committed, hard-working person who worked hard for the people he represented for many years."

Among the mourners, was Blackburn MP and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw. After the service, Mr Straw said: "He was very selfless, inherently shy and he worked very hard for others without seeking reward for it."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson said: "It was splendid occasion. The borough did Michael proud."