CROWDS of people gathered in a Rossendale town to pay tribute to one of the founders of what was once the largest employer in the Valley.

A horse-drawn carriage led the procession through Haslingden yesterday ahead of the funeral of Jessie Winfield, a founding member of Winfields Megastore.

Mrs Winfield, who worked at the popular outdoor specialist store until she was 82 years old, died on July 8 aged 88.

Speaking at the funeral, Dale, one of Jessie’s two sons, said: “My mum was a real Lancastrian lady who called a spade a spade and had a heart of gold.

“We have had people from as far as Hong Kong sending their condolences because of her great nature.

“She only wanted a modest funeral because she did not want to make a fuss, but we had to disobey her on that one, because so many people were touched by her life.”

The cortege had left Winfields Hazel Mill in Blackburn Road for the service at Accrington Crematorium which was conducted by Canon David J Lupton R.D.

Canon Lupton said: “Lots of people have stopped me to say what a lovely woman Jessie was.

“She was a blessing to her family, her friends and colleagues, and for that we have to be thankful.

“I know she would have wanted to thank her sons, her grandchildren, her carers and friends for the support they have provided especially over the last five years.”

Mrs Winfield was described as a very dear mother-in-law and grandma of Claire, Suzanne, Jodie, Janine, Joseph, Harrison, Hannah, Matthew and Emma.

Her other son, John, who runs the business with Dale, said that they wanted the procession to start at Winfields’ Hazel Mill as a tribute to his mother.

He said: “A lot of people have turned out from the town today because of the history that comes with the event and the fact that Winfields was once one of the biggest employers in Rossendale.

“She worked there for 40 years.”

Winfields has expanded over the years and now occupies 70,000 sq ft of retail space at its Mill Street site.