Tributes to Poulton and Wyre Railway Society's Jeff

Jeffrey Banks was the chairman of the Poulton and Wyre Railway Society, which is aiming to see the return of trains running on the line between Fleetwood and Poulton.

At his funeral, donations were made to the society fund at the request of the family and £580 was raised.

Jeff, who had worked as an office clerk for Wyre Council before his retirement, died of a heart attack at home on April 24.

Current president of the society Eddie Fisher said: “Jeff was a lovely man and a stalwart supporter of our projects.

“He was a founder member and worked tirelessly with our volunteers to help us achieve everything we have down so far.

“He will be sadly missed. There were lots of society members at the funeral at Lytham Park Crematorium and the family very kindly asked if people wanted to make donations to the society with the result that we collected £580.

“Jeff was particularly fond of our shunting engine and the money will go towards its restoration, which is nearly finished, and we will also use some to pay for a plaque in Jeff’s memory.”

The society has acquired a diesel train,cleared sections of rail track between Thornton and Burn Naze and has carried out work on rail platforms in those areas.

Jeff’s son Mark, who works as a train driver, said his dad was so proud of the achievements the society has made over the years.

Mark said: “He loved being part of the society and I know he would have wished he could see it all through.

“I am a train driver myself and he would have loved to have seen me drive a train on the line when that finally comes together.

“He was a lovely man and he will be greatly missed by us all.”

Jeff leaves sons Mark and William, sister Anne and brother Joseph.