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Shock as former Blackpool mayor dies
ONE of Blackpool's longest serving councillors has died in a tragic accident.
Former Mayor and Stanley Ward councillor Granville Heap is believed to have fallen down the stairs of his St Annes home at around 5am yesterday.
The tragedy has happened just six weeks after the 66-year-old grandfather married Anne Heap.
He had also just moved to St Annes after living on St Helier's Road in South Shore for the last 35 years.
Today, his daughter Nicola Farrer paid tribute to the man she described as a "wonderful dad and a wonderful granddad."
She said: "He was a real family man. His life was his council work, his newsagents shop and his family.
"He was a friendly man, he was always happy and joking.
"He used to take my sons Edward and Hugo on day trips around Blackpool, to the local attractions like The Illuminations - he loved Blackpool.
"One of the proudest times of his life was the year when he was Mayor. And he was deputy Mayor three times."He was proud of the town and proud of his family."
She added he would be "very sorely missed" by everyone in the family, including his sister Gloria, who also lives in Blackpool.
Coun Heap's former wife Kaye, who he had run Heap's Newsagents on Coronation Street with for the last 35 years, added: "It has been a big shock. He lived for Blackpool and things are not going to be the same without him."
Coun Ron Bell was close friends with Coun Heap and was best man at his wedding.
He said: "Just six weeks ago I had the privilege of being the best man at Granville and Anne's wedding and I find it so hard to believe he has gone.
"Granville was a larger than life character and one of those very rare individuals everyone loves.
"In return he loved Blackpool and its people and was a great ambassador for the town.
"Blackpool has lost a true friend and for his family and those of us who were close to him our lives are a lot emptier with his passing."
* For full story and tributes, pick up a copy of tonight's Gazette. Leave your comments and tributes below.
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Weather for Blackpool
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 32 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 6 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: North west
