Tributes have been paid to a former Hyndburn magistrate and Rotary Club president who passed away aged 68.

Sidney Cockroft, formerly of Fielding Lane, Oswaldtwistle, died at East Lancashire Hospice on May 28, aged 68.

The retired environmental health officer was appointed as a magistrate in Hyndburn in 2000 and he served on the Accrington bench.

The grandfather-of-six was also a long time member of St Paul’s Church in Oswaldtwistle where he served for many years as church warden.

Mr Cockroft joined the Rotary Club of Church and Oswaldtwistle in 1985 and after serving on various committees was named president in 1995.

During his tenure the club became the first locally to admit ladies which is now standard format throughout the Rotary world.

Michael Jackson, of the Rotary Club, paid tribute to Mr Cockroft and said he gave a ‘lifetime’ of service to his community.

He said: “Sidney was a most distinguished Rotarian both by serving his club and being well known and respected.

“Sidney was a true gentleman with outstanding qualities of integrity, honesty and fairness which never deviated.

“Not only was Sidney an active Rotarian and gave much of his time to the Church but he was also a JP.

“He was so respected that Margaret received a letter from the Deputy Justices’ clerk saying he was held in the highest esteem as a valued colleague of all the Justices on the Bench for his kindness, courtesy, gentle humour and genuine concern for others.”

Mr Cockroft, of Holcombe village in Rossendale, was given the honorary title of church warden Emeritus after his years of service.

Former Canon of the church and fellow Rotarian Michael Ratcliffe said he was a ‘true gentleman’.

He said: “Sidney was a magnificent servant for the church in many ways and he will be badly missed by all who knew him.”

Mr Cockroft began his career as an environmental health officer in Accrington before spending the rest of his working life in Rossendale.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 4 at St Paul’s Church.