THE Oldham Chronicle’s former Saddleworth reporter Ian Bennett has died aged 85.

The veteran correspondent, who knew every inch of the patch he had covered for 36 years, passed away at his home, next to the Uppermill Chronicle office, recently.

He was first on the scene of Saddleworth’s most notorious crime, the Moors Murders, three days after he began working in Uppermill in 1965.

He watched as police scoured the hills before finding and excavating the body of Lesley Ann Downey at Hollin Brown Knoll above Greenfield on October 16.

He also reported on the finding of the second body, of John Kilbride, five days later.

Originally from Warrington, where he worked on the Warrington Guardian, Ian was also a stalwart of Saddleworth Golf Club, and was still a trustee and signing papers for the club, just before he died. His father Gordon Bennett was also a journalist.

Ian was president of the club in 2004, the club’s centenary year, and was given the honour of redesigning the seventh hole.

At the time, he said: “It has been the opportunity of a lifetime and something every golfer would like to do.

“I have loved every minute, despite on occasions being soaked to the skin.”

Ian had previously helped with a small extension to the 10th hole and was also involved in the reconstruction of a number of tees on the course.

Ian’s wife Marjorie and eldest daughter Jill both pre-deceased him in the 1990s, and he leaves a second daughter Sue, who lives in Shaw. Jill was mum to his two granddaughters, Rebecca and Victoria.

Former colleagues and friends have described him as a true gentleman, and a gentle man with a smile and a word for everyone.

His funeral will take place at Oldham Crematorium on Friday (June 12) with many former colleagues paying tributes outside, due to Covid-19 restrictions.