PEOPLE paid their final respects to former council leader Terry O’Neill this afternoon, Friday.

Mr O’Neill’s funeral took place at St Paul's Church in Burtonwood at 1.30pm.

Senior figures including council leader Cllr Russ Bowden, deputy leader Cllr Cathy Mitchell, former leader Cllr Ian Marks, council chief executive Steven Broomhead, Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick, Lord Doug Hoyle and John Gartside were in attendance.

Mr O'Neill, who served Burtonwood and Winwick as a borough councillor, passed away last month, aged 72, after a short illness.

He started his political career as a parish councillor in 1983 and became a borough councillor in 1991.

The dad-of-two described being leader in his hometown as the ‘best job in the world’.

Emotional tributes were paid to the popular Labour politician at the full council meeting earlier this month.

Warrington Guardian:

Terry O'Neill's funeral took place in Burtonwood this afternoon

Warrington Guardian:

Terry O'Neill's funeral took place in Burtonwood this afternoon

Warrington Guardian:

Friends and family paid their final respects to Terry O'Neill this afternoon

Warrington Guardian:

Council leader Cllr Russ Bowden

Warrington Guardian:

Former MP Mike Hall and, behind, Cllr Maureen Creaghan

Warrington Guardian:

Former MP Lord Doug Hoyle and John Gartside

Warrington Guardian:

Former council leader Cllr Ian Marks

Warrington Guardian:

Cllr Bob Barr

Warrington Guardian:

The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire David Briggs

Warrington Guardian:

Assistant chief fire officer of Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Gus O'Rourke

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Wolves chairman Stuart Middleton, chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick and director Mike Lomax

Warrington Guardian:

Warrington Wolves Women coach Lee Westwood and Lee Mitchell from the foundation were among those in attendance

Warrington Guardian:

Former coach and captain of Warrington Alex Murphy

Warrington Guardian:

Parliamentary candidate Charlotte Nichols and former borough councillor Laurence Murphy