ALTRINCHAM is mourning the loss of a much-loved alderman who has died at the age of 68.

Alan Laver - a freeman of Altrincham with aldermanic status - died suddenly on Friday 30 July.

The holder of positions such as Provost of Altrincham, Clerk of Altrincham Court Leet and Deputy Baron Steward of Dunham Massey over the years, he touched the lives of countless people in the community.

He was also involved in Hale Civic Society, Hale and District U3A, Ringway 41 Club and Ringway Ramblers.

Alan grew up in Bowdon, attending Oldfield Brow Primary School and Altrincham Grammar School for Boys.

In attending Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Alan followed in the footsteps of father Jimmy Laver and uncle Charles Laver, themselves the sons of the school's first headmaster - Laurence Saville Laver.

After school, he went to the University of Reading, before going on to a career in IT within the banking sector.

His early career started as a trainee programmer at Barclays in London, but it also took him to places like the Channel Islands, the Cayman Islands and Puerto Rico.

Alan settled into more than 35 years at TSB and Lloyds, taking on roles such as project manager, senior architect and solution architect, before retiring 10 years ago.

He was known for his attention to detail and eye for improvement, as well as his sense of humour.

Outside work, Alan's passions included badminton, cars and walking his Westies in Halecroft Park.

Sadly, he was diagnosed with heart disease in his 40s, before battling with it for the rest of his life.

Inspired by his own experience of heart disease, Alan was involved in starting the Hale & Hearty scheme to provide defibrillators to the community earlier this year.

Alan is survived by his wife of more than 40 years Denise and their three children, as well as his grandson William.

His funeral is at 12pm on Thursday 19 August at Dunham Road Unitarian Chapel.

All who knew him are welcome to attend the funeral, and donations to Hale & Hearty are welcome in his memory.

These can be made via Ashton Brookes Funeral Directors or a page on JustGiving.