WEATHER expert and local activist Roy Chetham has died aged 71.

The chairman of Huncoat Community Forum passed away at his home in the village on March 21.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones said: "Roy was a great friend. I will miss him."

Mr Chetham was also the unofficial weatherman and Huncoat correspondent for the Lancashire Telegraph.

He worked as a civil servant before taking early retirement at the age of 50.

Mr Chetham became chairman of Huncoat Community Forum and the village's branch of the Hyndburn Labour Party

He had his very own weather station at his home with his own weather website.

Mr Chetham was also a model railway enthusiast with a large layout in his loft which was often featured in the hobby's specialist magazines.

A keen walker and rambling leader, he walked most of the hills and mountains of Great Britain and Europe with his walking group ‘Roy’s Roams’.

Mr Chetham family obituary on the Champ Funeral Services website describes him as: "The much-loved dad the father of Andrea and the late Andrew, dear father-in-law of James and Anita, cherished grandad of Katie and Mackenzie, and dearest friend to Jean and her daughter Julie.

" Roy had fantastic organisational skills and devoted his life to others.

"He never judged anyone and would help anyone. A true gentleman."

Mr Jones said: "Roy was a keen member of the Labour Party, chairman of its Huncoat branch and rarely missed a constituency meeting.

"He was very active in the Huncoat area and chairman of its community forum as well as an expert weatherman.

"Everybody will really miss him and his contributions to local life.

Mr Chetham's funeral takes place today at 3pm at Accrington Crematorium on Burnley Road,.

Family flowers only are requested.

Donations can be made in his memory to Macmillan Cancer Support, East Lancashire Hospice and Marie Curie.