A LONGRIDGE businessman has died aged 64.

Roy Houghton, who owned Ribble Valley Coaches for the last 27 years, died just a month after being diagnosed with cancer.

The chairman of St Wilfrid’s Club was well known for patrolling the town’s streets as a Special Constable – a service he carried out for 30 years, and for which he was awarded a long service medal after retiring as a sergeant in 1997.

And during his time as a Special, he was sergeant for former Longridge mayor and councillor Alan Coupe, and for current deputy mayor, Coun Paul Byrne, who both served as Specials.

He attended St Wilfrid’s Primary School, in Longridge, before going to the Roman Catholic college, in Blackburn.

Mr Houghton is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and daughters Louise, Lynne, and Lesley, grandchildren Thomas, Millie, Max and Lauren, and sisters June Kiernan and Denize Bonny.

His funeral took place on Wednesday, at Preston Crematorium.