A FORMER scientist Methodist minister has died at the age of 101.

The Rev Fred Haig Jowett died on Wednesday, October 18, at Epworth Grange Methodist Home in Chirmside Street, Bury, where he had lived since his wife's death seven years ago.

He leaves five children, Josephine, Joanna, John, Judith and Janet, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Originally from Shipley, West Yorkshire, Mr Haig Jowett started his career in the laboratories of a cotton company in Stockport and applied to join the ministry in the 1930s but was rejected because he was suffering from tuberculosis.

He was later accepted and completed his training at Handsworth College in Birmingham.

Mr Haig Jowett worked at churches across the UK, including Redcar, Workington and Portland, before arriving at Close Methodist Church, Radcliffe, where he stayed from 1948 to 1952.

Following other appointments around the country, he returned to the area to become minister of Bolton Road Methodist Church, Bury, from 1972 to 1976.

Mr Haig Jowett and his wife, Rose, then moved to a church in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, where he later retired.

His son John (63), who lives in Warrington, said: "My father was a scientist, and even when he got older and lost his eyesight, he was still very interested in everything around him. He saw many changes during his 101 years.

"He was well-known all over the country because he travelled around so much. He was well-respected in Bury and Radcliffe particularly, and he had many friends in the area. People thought very highly of him."

His funeral was held at Bolton Road Methodist Church on Monday.