Emotional tributes have poured in for former mayor Bill Davies - a man who commanded the affection and respect of everyone he met.

He died at his home in Glebelands Road, Knutsford, aged 76, after a long battle against illness and his funeral was held at Brook Street Chapel on Friday.

Politicians of all persuasions were keen to pay their final respects to a man who united them all with his humour, wit and compassion.

Former Tatton MP Martin Bell said: "He was one of the very few people in politics whose opponents will miss him as much as his supporters."

A former journalist, Bill went on to became a teacher and later a lecturer at Harvard, one of America's Ivy League universities.

In 1976 on his return to the UK he was appointed director of Manchester Business School and he began his long association with Knutsford.

He was married to Joyce and was devoted to their three children and grandchildren.

For the full story see the Wilmslow Express newspaper. Out Thursday.