TRIBUTES have been paid to a dedicated Burnley councillor after he has lost a long battle against cancer.

Frank Ashworth died in Royal Blackburn Hospital on Wednesday. He was aged 73.

He had represented the Rosehill with Burnley Wood for three years and had spent the previous 15 years as a magistrate in the town.

His wife Eileen, of Glen View Road, who was married to Frank for 26 years, said: “He was a loving husband a devoted father to a daughter and a step-daughter.

“Being a ward councillor was a role he really enjoyed and something he threw himself into, he loved helping people and was passionate about the area.

“He had been receiving treatment at Royal Blackburn Hospital for a while and his treatment there was excellent. He was very well looked after there.”

Coun Ashworth was a former chairman of the licensing committee and also a member of Habergham Eaves Parish Council.

Coun Charlie Briggs, leader of Burnley Council, said: “Frank was a real battler and a great guy.

“He battled with that illness for a number of years and he never let him get it down, he was such a fighter he battled away till the end.

“He worked wonderfully well for the ward and for the council, he was in the same mould as Bill Bennett and did a lot of good for the borough.

“It is a sad loss and he will big miss at the council.”

Coun Ashworth’s funeral is to take place at 2.15pm at Burnley Crematorium on Thursday.