SOUTH Ribble Borough Council's project development worker Vaughan Seddon has died suddenly aged 53.

He leaves a wife, Jean, and two grown-up children, Janina and Stuart.

Vaughan, who lived in Adlington, Chorley, was a valued member of the council's economic development team.

He spent most of his time working in the community, helping young unemployed people.

Vaughan had worked at the council since 1997, when he was employed part-time as the authority's first ever Youth Development Worker.

In 1998 his post was made full time and Vaughan's duties expanded to take in further community-based work.

Vaughan left school in 1961 and served an apprenticeship in the aerospace industry at Bolton. In 1974 he moved to the ROF at Chorley, taking early retirement in 1992.

From 1980 he also worked in the youth service for Lancashire County Council at youth clubs in Astley Village, Charnock Richard, Coppull, Chorley and Euxton.

When he retired, Vaughan decided to gain an official qualification to enable him to become more involved in working in the community, so he attended Ilkley College in Yorkshire for two years, gaining a diploma in youth and community studies. He then went on to do a BA (Hons) at the University of Central Lancashire.

South Ribble's chief executive Phil Halsall said: "In his time with us, Vaughan made a tremendous impact and will be sadly missed - as much by the communities he worked within as by the council itself.

"This speaks volumes about his personality, commitment and enthusiasm."

Vaughan's funeral was on Friday (October 8), at St Paul's Church in Adlington, followed by cremation at Overdale, Bolton.

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