THE funeral of former Saints and Great Britain forward John Mantle will take place on Friday, November 30 at St Luke’s Church on Knowsley Road from 10.30am before moving to St Helens Crematorium.

The former Grange Park and Rivington Road schoolteacher, who joined Saints from Welsh rugby union in 1965, passed away last week aged 76 after a long illness.

The family are asking people to wear something bright to help them celebrate John’s life.

They are also requesting close family flowers only and if you want to make a donation then you can do so via the family, and they will be passed to the Alzheimers Society.