FRIENDS and colleagues will line the streets to pay their respects to a much loved and respected leading trade unionist and Bolton College officer who has died at the age of 57.

The funeral service of Graham Walmsley will take place tomorrow at Overdale Crematorium, West Chapel.

Mr Walmsley, who lived with his family in Heaton, served as the Branch Chairman of Bolton Unison and was an exams administrator at Bolton College.

He died suddenly on June 6.

Paying tribute to him branch secretary of Unison, Andrea Egan described him as 'one of the best' .

She said: "He was a genuinely lovely man, our movement has lost one of the best.

"Graham will be deeply missed by all those who knew him. Our thoughts are very much with Graham’s family."

The cortege will leave the family home in Heaton at around 1.15pm. It will pass the front of Bolton College on Deane Road so his work colleagues can pay their respects.

Mr Walmsley's Unison and Bolton Trade Council comrades lining up outside Overdale with their branch banners.

Those attending the service are asked not to wear formal black wear but rather concert T-shirts football shirts ­— but no Manchester United ­— jeans, trainers and black dress.

Those wishing to can make donations in Mr Walmsley's name to Royal Bolton Hospital's Critical Care Unit through Season's Funeral Service.