A WELL-LOVED organist has died aged 96.

James Pye played the instrument at many weddings at St Mary’s Church in Prestwich between the 1960s and 1990s.

A butcher by trade, he was also choir master at the church.

Mr Pye died last week in a nursing home in West Yorks near to his daughter’s home.

His funeral will be held next Thursday, July 20, at St Anne’s Parish Church in Turton, Bolton, at 11am.

Friend Gordon Jones, aged 75, said: “He will be remembered by many people in Prestwich. All are welcome at the funeral.”