David takes dual role

Dr David Atherton

FAMILY doctor David Atherton has a new set of “patients” — the Great Britain police rugby league team on a tour of Australia.

Dr Atherton, a member of Saddleworth Parish Council and now part-time GP at Mossley following his retirement from full-time practice, flew out from Heathrow on Wednesday morning.

He has joined his rugby playing son Daniel Atherton, a sergeant with Rochdale police, on the tour where the team will play other police teams down under.

And Dr Atherton (62) will also indulge another interest apart from his love of rugby league — his interest in photography.

He has gone as both team doctor and team photographer for the side.

The police team tour coincides with the Rugby League World Cup and the boys in blue will have grandstand seats for the final.

Dr Atherton’s wife Glenys drove David to Birch Services on Wednesday where he joined the team coach on its way to London.

She said: “There was a phone call from Daniel and David had to make up his mind in about ten minutes whether he was going on the month-long trip.

“But he decided to go and I know he was very much looking forward to it.”