16/11/2004

Dibnah's cortege escorted by favourite traction engine

Fred Dibnah has been laid to rest in Bolton today, his coffin borne to the church service atop his favourite steam traction engine.

The 66-year-old steeplejack and television celebrity passed away after losing his battle with cancer, just weeks after filming finished on his last television series.

Following a service at St Peter's Church, Dibnah was laid to rest in Tonge cemetery, a short distance away from his home. On the lid of his coffin was placed Dibnah's trademark flat cap.

Fred Dibnah first shot to fame in a 1979 BBC documentary series featuring his work as a steeplejack and industrial historian. Though he had a love for Victorian engineering, he was also responsible for demolishing a number of the redundant Victorian-era chimneystacks.

The demolition specialist and former steeplejack was awarded an MBE in 2003, one year after firing and felling the last of many landmark brick-built chimneys.

The final television series from the Lancashire character Fred Dibnah, who had stopped his treatment to allow him to finish the series, will be broadcast early next year.

(SP/GMCG)

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