FAMILY and countless friends are mourning the death of a long-serving councillor.

Rainford-based John Anthony (Tony) Brown died aged 73 in Fairfield Hospital on Friday after a long battle with leukaemia. He leaves his wife Irene, children Carol, Kathryn and Andrew, four grandchildren, brother Geoffrey and sister Marjorie.

Born in Willow Road, Tony moved to Rainford at the age of three and was educated at the village's junior and secondary schools. He then served an apprenticeship as a bricklayer.

Following National Service Tony set up his own business in the construction industry, and entered local politics as a Conservative with St Helens and Rainford councils.

In a local government career spanning more than 30 years, the highpoint came in 2002-3 when Tony and Irene became Mayor and Mayoress of St Helens. Tony once stood as a parliamentary candidate and, having considerable reduced Labour's majority, was later offered a safe' seat elsewhere by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, but declined for family reasons.

A man of many parts and a proud - albeit adopted - son of Rainford, he played for the village's North End soccer team in his youth, founded the Boys' Brigade troop and was mace-bearer in the local Silver Band. Tony was also a governor of Rainford High and Brook Lodge schools and St Helens College.

In addition, he was a member of the management committee of Fairfield Hospital, where he regularly received treatment during his protracted illness over recent years.

Fellow councillor, Wally Ashcroft, said: "Tony was a guiding hand to me when I was elected to St Helens Council and I was deeply honoured when he asked me to succeed him as leader of the Conservative group. He was a friend to all and will be sadly missed."

Councillor Brian Spencer, leader of St Helens Council, added: "I knew Tony for more than 25 years. As a councillor he made a tremendous contribution to the borough and to his own ward of Rainford. He was never afraid to speak his mind and always had the interests of the people at heart. His experience and knowledge was an asset to the council and he will be sadly missed. During his illness he insisted on carrying on with his council business and continued to represent his constituents. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family at this sad time."