A FORMER Bury garage owner, who was at the heart of the 1960s pop explosion, has lost his brave fight against cancer.

Derek Whyment, who was the road manager for The Hollies for more than a decade, died on Monday (June 4) in Bury General Hospital. He was aged 59.

Married with two daughters, Mr Whyment toured the world with The Hollies who included lead singer Allan Clarke, guitarist Tony Hicks, drummer Bobby Elliott and, during the first year of his position, Graham Nash, one third of Crosby, Stills and Nash.

It was the pressure of running The Hollies global tours that forced Mr Whyment to retire from the pop world in 1977. He then bought into a car repair garage in Rochdale Old Road, Bury, which he ran until just four years ago.

Mr Whyment was born in Manchester and left school to begin work as an electrician. However, his passion for music and Manchester's booming pop industry led to Mr Whyment working with a number of bands, including the Dakotas, as a sound technician and road manager.

In 1966 he became road manager with The Hollies, who went on to score massive hits with songs such as Carrie Anne, Bus Stop and He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother.

Mr Whyment is survived by his wife, Carol. The couple lived for a while in Ramsbottom but spent the majority of their married life in Helmshore.

Carol said: "By 1977, Derek had had enough of travelling the world with The Hollies, it was getting too much for him. I wanted him home as well as we had two daughters to raise.

"Derek and a partner then took over a garage in Fairfield and they ran it for 20 years. He was very well known in that area."

Mrs Whyment said that several of The Hollies regularly send Christmas cards and her husband was still great friends with the band's drummer, Bobby Elliott.

Efforts are being made for the band to attend Mr Whyment's funeral, which will take place at 11.15am on Monday (June 11) at Holcombe Emmanuel Church, followed by committal at Overdale Crematorium.