A POPULAR former councillor, who set up the first meals-on-wheels service in his community, has died aged 90.

Arthur Smith, served the district councils of Church, Padiham and Great Harwood in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and worked in local government for most of his life.

He was a member of three local Rotary clubs and in 2007 was awarded a 50-year service medal.

Daughter Alison Walesby said: “He started his working life as an office boy at Church UDC.

“After service in the RAF in the Second World War, he became the clerk and chief financial officer to Church UDC in 1955, Padiham UDC in 1967 and Great Harwood UDC in 1970.

“He retired from local government in 1974 following its re-organisation and then worked for North-West Water in Preston until 1982.

"He was instrumental in starting the first WRVS Meals on Wheels Service in Church, often delivering meals himself during his lunch break.”

She said her father was a founder member of the Accrington Clef Club and was its treasurer for many years.

He loved music, having sung in Church Kirk Choir as a soloist in his youth.

He was a retired member of Accrington Probus Club and NALGO.

Having lived most of his life in Accrington, he moved to St Annes last year with his wife.

Ill-health overtook him and he died in the New Thursby Nursing Home after a brief stay earlier this month.

In 1944 he married Doris Hartley, who died in 1990. They had two daughters, Alison and Barbara. In 1993 he married Brenda Robinson (nee Sharples), who survives him, as does her son Brent from her first marriage.

In addition to his daughters, he also leaves son-in-law David, grandsons Peter and Richard, grand-daughters Laura and Judith, Brent’s wife Jane and grand-daughters Claire and Laura.