LEIGH'S Mrs Millennium, Rita Jones, has lost her battle against cancer.

Rita, who for years ran Colliers Photographic Shop in Railway Road with her husband Brian, died on Saturday.

Now business colleagues want to turn the town into a town of angels - Leigh Angeles - at Christmas in her memory.

Friend Dorothy Bowker, who runs Cook's Shoes in Market Street, is calling on all shops, schools and businesses to take up the theme and fill their windows and premises with a host of seraphims.

She said: "We had this vision for Leigh at the festive season. Now I would like people to help make it become a reality for Rita. She would have loved it.

"She worked so hard over many years to help make Leigh a better place."

Rita, who was a leading light on the Millennium Committee and organiser of the town's centenary celebrations, missed the weekend she helped to plan when she had surgery in July. She leaves her husband and daughter, Belinda.

Chairman of Leigh Business Partnership Gordon Jackson said: "It is with great sorrow we hear of the passing of our good friend and colleague.

"Rita was a founder member of the Partnership, being present at its foundation in October 1995. For the past five years she has been a stalwart member of the committee, involved in all aspects.

"She recently took the appointment of joint chairperson, with Cllr Tom Sherratt, of the Millennium Celebrations Committee, assisted by Dorothy Bowker. What a magnificent job was accomplished.

"Rita was a member of many organisations, and I am sure will be missed by all the people who had the benefit to call her a friend.

"She instilled a breath of confidence in all of us, and our hearts go out to Brian and his family at this time. Rita will be sadly missed by myself and all those she touched with her friendship,"

A funeral service took place at Leigh Parish Church on Wednesday.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.