Today we said farewell to Bob Bates, the General Secretary of the National Union of Labour and Socialist Clubs (NULSC), with a hugely attended funeral service at St Helens Crematorium.

Bob was St Helens born and bred, a stalwart of the local and national Labour Clubs, a former firefighter and much-loved husband, father and grandfather.

I was very proud when he signed my election nomination papers in 2015 and he was a steadfast, loyal, humorous and straight-talking friend to both me and my predecessor Lord Dave Watts, who also attended today.

Our condolences to his wife Barbara, his daughters Christine and Janet, his grandchildren and his family and many friends.