ONE of the last men to work at Grimethorpe colliery has died, aged 62.

Ian Walker was a pit safety official and a St John's ambulance officer.

He had been battling leukaemia for three-and-a-half years and died on Sunday.

Mr Walker, of Norwood Drive, Brierley, leaves a wife Ann, children Maxine, Mark and Richard and a granddaughter Imogen.

He was born on Lilydene Avenue, Grimethorpe, in 1944 and attended Grimethorpe Modern School, now Willowgarth High, before he started at the colliery. He was a workman, colliery official and then a safety officer.

He was one of the last men there when the pit closed in February 1994. He then went to Barnsley College and took a health and safety qualification.

He became a serving brother of the Order of St John in 1977 and took part in many first aid competition, representing Grimethorpe Colliery and St John's ambulance. His skills helped the teams earn several national titles and in 1991 he trained Grimethorpe Junior St John's Ambulance Team.

The team became national champions and competed in the World Championships in Australia, finishing third.

A funeral service, led by Fr Peter Needham, will be held at St Luke's church, 1pm on Wednesday, December 27, followed by burial at Grimethorpe.

Donations to leukaemia research in lieu of flowers.