Councillor has heart attack

LOCAL Conservative leader Jack Hulme is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack.

The Chadderton North councillor, who took his seat last year, was taken ill after the group meeting on Monday night. He was taken to the Royal Oldham Hospital, where he is now in a stable condition.

Jack’s colleague, Chadderton North Councillor Philip Rogers, said: “We’ve received numerous messages of support from local party members and residents since Jack was taken ill and this demonstrates how popular he is in the local community.

“Jack is a very well respected figure in our party and we are all thinking of him a great deal. We are looking forward to having him back as soon as possible, but he needs to come back only when he is ready.”

Fellow Conservative Len Quinn, who represents Chadderton North, has now taken over Councillor Hulme’s day-to-day duties.

He said: “Our thoughts and best wishes are with Jack and we hope he makes a full and speedy recovery."

Council leader Howard Sykes said: “I was shocked and saddened to hear that Jack Hulme had been taken ill.

“Our primary thoughts are with Jack, his wife Eileen, and his family.”