THE town has lost one its biggest characters with the sudden death of pig farmer and former rugby league player Geoff Fletcher at the age of 74.

Fletcher, nicknamed ‘Piggy’, was a larger than life personality – but behind a tough exterior was a loving husband, dad and granddad, with a real soft spot for his animals.

Together for more than 50 years, Geoff and wife Yvonne made a good team together with a common love of rugby league.

Yvonne said: “We both loved our rugby – I was a Saints fan and he was for everybody else.

“I met him during his first time at Leigh and watched him play at Oldham and even Wigan, even though I didn’t like them.”

Geoff was born into farming, with holdings in Ravenhead and Bold, before moving over to Holme Farm in Eccleston.

In a varied working life Geoff learned his trade as a fitter at Pilkington’s, and at one time ran a newsagent on Clock Face Road and a number of pubs.

Although he was a month short of his 75th birthday, he never retired.

“He couldn’t keep still and was even working on the farm the day he died.

“He loved his animals – apart from pigs there are hens, ducks and turkeys.

“Trigger the horse is a real character, who must have learned some habits off Geoff. He can open the door by himself and come in for a biscuit.

“They are all pets really as he had not taken any animals to market for a long time,” Yvonne said.

Dad to Sara and Wayne, and grandad to Molly, Emma and Scarlett, Geoff’s passing leaves a huge void in the Fletcher family.

Daughter Sara said: “He was very doting and worshipped his grandchildren and was at his happiest with them.

“It has hit us really hard — our hearts are well and truly broken.”