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Dozens of mourners packed into Macclesfield Crematorium to say a final farewell to ‘one in a million’ Cheshire East councillor Philip Hoyland.

Coun Hoyland, who has represented Poynton West and Adlington since May 2011, died suddenly last month aged 60.

Mr Hoyland, of Charlecote Road, Poynton, was a leading member of Macclesfield’s Conservative Party and had taken an active involvement in the big issues affecting Poynton - including the development of the former BAE Woodford Aerodrome and the forthcoming Poynton Relief Road.

During an emotional service at the crematorium his brother, Richard, paid tribute to a ‘special man’.

He said: “Philip was full of fun and lived life to the full. He was a husband, father, step-father, brother, uncle, son-in-law, cyclist, dog walker, beer and wine enthusiast and former rock climber.

“He managed to give 100 per cent and time to everything he did. He was enthusiastic and passionate about his job as a councillor. It’s possible he would say he was just a child in bigger clothes, we say thank you Phil it was an honour to have known you. He was a one in a million.”

Before the committal Mr Hoyland’s cortège walked down Park Lane in Poynton so that residents could pay their respects to a man who had dedicated himself to the town.

The service at Macclesfield Crematorium was also followed by a celebration of his life at St George’s Church in Poynton, and a reception at the town’s Royal British Legion.

A number of leading political figures attended the service at the crematorium, including the Mayor of Macclesfield Coun Janet Jackson and Cheshire East Council’s deputy leader David Brown.