THE funeral of church minister and Runcorn councillor Alan Taylor was held at St John's in Weston last Tuesday.

Mr Taylor died of a suspected heart attack in the Lake District.

His successor as leader of the Liberal Democrat councillors, Mike Hodgkinson, gave a funeral ovation.

He first met Mr Taylor when he moved in two doors away more than 30 years ago.

Mr Hodgkinson said: "The driving force behind Alan's council work was a genuine liking for people and a desire to help them.

"He was interested in the welfare of young people.

"If residents phoned him and made complaints about youths, he was willing to go and talk to the youths and would try to defuse the situation.

"Alan was always willing to work with his political opponents for the common good, unlike too many national politicians."

Mr Taylor, ward member for the Heath for seven years, had been round the world with the navy, was a Church of England minister, a member of Probus and also a freemason.

Cllr Hodgkinson said: "Alan's greatest love was for his family, especially his wife, Alice, and daughters, Helen and Andrea. He was a good husband and a loving father who was proud of his daughters."