A Bradford man who met Nelson Mandela has paid tribute to the former President of South Africa ahead of his funeral tomorrow.

Herbert Wuver has also sung the praises of the people in Bradford who helped raise money and publicity during Mr Mandela’s fight for freedom in the 1980s.

Mr Wuver, of the Pan African Arts and Cultural Group which represent the African community in Bradford, said: “Bradford played an important part in liberating Nelson Mandela, especially the University of Bradford, by raising money and publicity.

“The university students and most of the people who helped have not been acknowledged as unsung heroes.”

Mr Wuver met Mandela in 2001 when he opened the Nelson Mandela Gardens in Leeds.

“He was a nice person - an inspiration,” said Mr Wuver. “We have lost a beacon to the world.”