Blackburn bookmaker Tom Thelwell has died of pneumonia at the age of 88.

Mr Thelwell, of Pleckgate Road, Blackburn, was well known and liked in the Grimshaw Park area.

His son, Dennis, said: "He was the last of the old-fashioned bookmakers.

"He was a real character."

He was born in Paterson Street, Blackburn, and was a bookie's clerk until the Second World War when he joined the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and served in North Africa and Belgium.

When he returned to the town in 1947, he set up business in Clayton Street as a starting price bookmaker.

In 1961 he also opened a shop in Mosley Street, Blackburn.

He sold the business 10 years later.

Though he enjoyed visiting racecourses at Catterick, Wetherby and Haydock Park, he never took bets at the track.

He was married for more than 50 years to Florence until she died 13 years ago.

He leaves his two sons, Dennis and Derrick, five granddaughters, two grandsons and 12 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service was held today at Pleasington Crematorium.

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