THE funeral of a Darwen jeweller and watchmaker Norman Atkinson will take place on Thursday at Sacred Heart and St Edward's Church, in Blackburn Road.

Mr Atkinson, 82, who worked in Darwen for more than 30 years running Atkinson's Jewellers in Duckworth Street, died suddenly on October 29.

He had also worked in Rawtenstall for many years.

Mr Atkinson was a former president of Darwen Rotary Club and during his presidential year unveiled the replacement African Lion on the War Memorial at the Circus and was responsible for the Rotary Club charity raising funds to purchase electronic hearing equipment for a local primary school in the same year. During the Second World War, he served in the RAF, serving for most of the time in Egypt.

Mr Atkinson leaves a widow Mary, 61, and children Margaret, David and Peter. He was also a much-loved grandfather and father-in-law.

A Requiem Mass will take place at 10.45am on Thursday, followed by cremation at Pleasington Crematorium, Blackburn.