FORMER Hyndburn mayor Jack Grime has died at the age of 87.

The long-standing and popular Labour councillor, who represented Church for 25 years, died of natural causes in Church View Residential Home in Church Street, Oswaldtwistle.

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Mr Grime, who served as mayor in 1984/85, was also well-known for his work as a preacher in Church, where he lived in Buckingham Grove.

Close family member Maureen Grime said: “He was very busy. He did not have a social life because he was so busy going to meetings and things.”

Mr Grime was born in Oswaldtwistle and raised in the area. After leaving school, he began his career at Schofield Pies in Church and went on to enjoy a lengthy spell with G.E.C. in Clayton-le-Moors.

In 1974 he was elected as a councillor in his home ward, where he worked tirelessly for the community.

On Wednesday, December 19, 1984, Mr Grime donned his mayoral robes to attend the opening of the M65.

He was made a MBE in 1988 for his long and distinguished services to the borough after being honoured in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.

He was also a Justice of the Peace (JP) in the local area and governor at several schools in Hyndburn.

In 1996, he risked the wrath of his own party after ignoring a Labour whip to vote against the proposed sell-off of the council’s freehold interest in the Arndale Centre to fund new civic offices.

Three years later, Mr Grime lost his seat in the local election to the Conservatives, ending his long political career.

The title of Honorary Alderman was bestowed upon him by the council in 2013.

Former mayor and current Oswaldtwistle councillor Judith Addison led the tributes to Mr Grime.

She said: “He always sang with such gusto and read the Bible in church with such meaning.”

Tributes were also paid to Mr Grime online.

Former St Christopher’s High School student Karen Haworth said: “I grew up with him around. He was a friend of my late Grandma.

“Always a smile on his face, he was a gentleman.”

Ian Ormerod said: “I remember Jack as a lay preacher and was proud to serve alongside him as a Labour councillor.

“He was also a staunch supporter of Mid Pennine Arts.”

Mr Grime’s funeral is at Antley Methodist Church in Accrington from 10.30am on Tuesday.