THE funeral was due to take place today of a popular postmaster from Earby who died after a short battle with cancer.

Brian Jones, 65, died in Airedale Hospital on June 5, just 12 weeks after he discovered he had cancer.

A father of two, Brian had friends across Lancashire and Yorkshire as he had spent the last 15 years as a relief postmaster across the two areas.

He grew up in the Brickmakers Arms, in Burnley, which his mum and dad owned, before going to Germany on his National Service.

He later became postmaster at Piccadilly Road, Keirby Walk and Todmorden Road post offices in Burnley.

When his first wife died in 1985 he decided to take up a relief postmaster job instead of running his own shops.

He leaves behind his children, Darren Jones and Donna Uttley, his second wife Marilyn and his sister and brother-in-law, Beryl and Bob Smith.

When he was younger Brian was a member of Calder Vale Rugby Union Club and had soccer trials for Blackburn Rovers.

His brother-in-law Bob said: "He was very popular man and well liked. When he was working he was only at each place for a short time covering holidays but a lot of people got to know him.

"He had been in great demand as a relief postmaster and was fully booked up. Even just before he died he was worried about letting those people down."

Brian was due to be cremated at Burnley Crematorium this afternoon..