THE funeral of former York council leader Rod Hills will be held at York Minster on Wednesday.

Mr Hills led York City Council and then City of York Council for almost 20 years, before becoming embroiled in allegations about his private life in the past two years.

He was awarded a CBE for his services to local politics in 1999, but was later de-selected by the Labour Party.

In his last days he declined an offer from City of York Council to make him an honorary alderman.

Mr Hills was found dead in a flat in Leeds last Tuesday evening. He died of natural causes.

The funeral service will be held at the Minster at 2pm on Wednesday.

Updated: 12:50 Saturday, August 02, 2003