Tributes have been paid to Sir John Harvey Jones, former chancellor of the University of Bradford.

The 83-year-old passed away peacefully in his sleep following a long illness.

Sir John, who was knighted for services to industry, served as Bradford University's vice-chancellor between 1986 and 1991.

He is credited with playing a significant role in turning around the fortunes of ICI during his time as chairman of the industrial giant from 1982 to 1987.

Professor Mark Cleary, current vice-chancellor of the University of Bradford, said: "Sir John was a strong supporter of universities in general and of the University of Bradford in particular. He believed that Britain's well-being depended on the success of its industry which, in turn, relied upon a successful technical education system.

"As chancellor, Sir John succeeded both in raising Bradford's public visibility while at the same time offering valuable support and advice to the University's management during the financially-difficult late 1980s.

"He will be remembered in the University of Bradford for his far-sighted advice that helped to establish the administrative structures and policy for the years which lay ahead."

Sir John also served as honorary president of the university's MBA Alumni Association, and was said to hold a special affection for the city.

During a visit to Bradford, he told the Telegraph & Argus: "I like Bradford very much indeed and I have always been a great fan of both the university and the city. I'm very much afraid, however, that the district still faces the same challenges it always has - a declining manufacturing sector and an improved, but still inadequate, level of educational achievement.

"Things have got better in education in the last ten years and we're catching up, but we're not yet at the forefront and that's sad, because in many ways the multicultural nature of Bradford should give us an enormous advantage."