TRIBUTES have been paid to the former leader of St Helens Council.

Hundreds attended the funeral of Cllr Mike Doyle, 69, who died of a suspected heart attack in December.

Tributes from fellow councillors flowed at a special civic meeting before the funeral yesterday.

His long-time colleague, Cllr Marie Rimmer, who was elected to council at the same time as Mike in 1978, led the tributes.

She said: “Mike was proud of his Scouse roots. He attended St Edwards College, later working at Plessey and English Electric.

“He later moved into training and was a staunch union member. He was a typical son of the 60s and loved the Cavern scene and he was a fabulous dancer.

“Just a year after being elected to council he became chairman of planning and later economic development and became leader in 1997. He was also mayor in 1989 and deputy chairman of the Regional Development Agency.

“It is a testament to Mike’s dedication that, one week after having part of his leg amputated, he accepted the post of executive member for environmental protection and, equipped with laptop, threw himself into the job as he did in his later role of executive member for safer communities.

“Mike was also passionate about education and was chairman of a number of governing bodies.

“He was a parish councillor and a patient adviser, giving talks to diabetic people as well as mentoring people who have been through the trauma of amputations.

“Rainhill was his passion and he made his mark wherever he went. No issue was too small or too big. Mike Doyle’s name will live on. He may have been born in Liverpool but he was the adopted son of St Helens.”

Council leader Brian Spencer added: “I may not have been a councillor, had Mike decided to fight the old Sutton and Bold seat.

“Instead, he chose Rainhill, which he served with dedication and passion. He left his mark wherever he went and no one will ever forget his name.

“We have crossed political swords often but any animosity was left in the Council Chamber and I respected him for that. I will miss him as a person and as a politician.”

In an emotional eulogy, deputy leader Cllr Suzanne Knight added: “A few years ago, we lost one of our very dear colleagues, Cllr Kathleen Brown, who was sister to the mayor.

“At her full council, before her funeral service, I read a passage I felt was very apt for Kath, for the way she had lived her life. Afterwards Mike told me he had found the words very moving – that a life must be deemed worthwhile, if someone could believe that of you at the end of it.”

Councillors and officers joined mourners for a Requiem Mass at St Bartholomew’s Church, at Rainhill.

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