THE funeral of former bookmaker Albert Brown, who died in a road collision, will take place on Wednesday, February 1.

Albert, 82, was the front seat passenger in a Citroen Xsara which was in collision with a Ford Focus on Gorsey Lane, Clock Face, on the evening of Thursday, December 22.

The funeral of the granddad of six  starts at 10.30am at St Austin’s Church, Thatto Heath.

In a statement the family said: “Albert Brown was a gentleman. A truly devoted family man. Husband to Sheelah; father to Tim, Kathy, Alison and Nicky and proud granddad to his six grandchildren.

“Dad was a happy, kind natured and generous man who only saw the best in people and was loved by all who knew him.

“A retired bookmaker who still enjoyed a day at the races with his son and loved watching sport on the television, particularly rugby league.

“A huge gap has been left that can never be filled and the family are totally devastated.”