TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Barnoldswick’s most “colourful characters” and a tireless fundraiser.

George Christofides, 81, a Greek national who lived most of his life in Barnoldswick, died on March 5 nearly two years after being diagnosed with cancer.

His son, Andrew, who lives in Cardiff, said: “He was an outstanding personality and a colourful character and lived life to the full.”

Mr Christofides, who was born in Athens to a Greek father and Cypriot mother, came to Barnoldswick at the age of 16 with an ambition to be a concert pianist, but he couldn’t get a grant from the Manchester School of Music.

Instead he took an apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce in Barnoldswick before joining the Labour Party and winning a seat on the pre-Pendle Barnoldswick District Council, serving for seven years.

Mr Christofides was also well known for his charity work. Over the years he raised funds for charities such as Scope, Abbeyfield, Leukaemia Research and the West Craven Hospital Minibus service.

Andrew and his dad were also instrumental in bringing Abbeyfield House to Barnoldswick, raising £10,000 to get the scheme up and running.

His charity work earned him Barnoldswick Town Council’s Rosebowl Citizenship Trophy in 2001.

Mr Christofides’ grand daughter, Rachel Gilchrist, whose first child is due this week, said her granddad was a “delightful man who was very positive and did a lot for people.”

Mr Christofides is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and two children, Andrew and Louise.

The couple’s third child, Michael, died of leukaemia at the age of eight.