A former Bradford Conservative housing chief has died aged 81.

Former Queensbury and Clayton Councillor Ken Hirst passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Tenter Hill, Clayton, Bradford, in the early hours of yesterday.

The Conservative leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Margaret Eaton, led the tributes to Mr Hirst. "It is very sad to learn of his death," she said.

"Ken was housing chairman for many years and I learnt a great deal from him. I followed him as housing chairman and he was always very supportive.

"I kept in touch with him and he has always been a source of sound advice and I will miss him. He was very committed to the Council housing tenants and to the quality of life for them.

"He did a great deal at that time, along with the director of housing, to improve the lot of council tenants and he deserves tribute from all of us."

Former Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Stanley King, said he would miss a good friend.

"He was a down to earth Yorkshire man and did not beat about the bush," he said.

"If he did not agree with you he would tell you. He was competent and did a good, solid job. He was loyal to Clayton, to him there was no place like it."

Mr Hirst was elected on to Bradford Council as councillor for Queensbury before moving to represent Clayton ward in 1967.

During his time on Bradford Council Mr Hirst took a special interest in the environment, transport and roads, and was deputy chairman of the City Development Committee. This role enabled him to give active support in attracting new industry to the city and expand existing ones.

He was also a member of the Road Safety Committee and represented Bradford on the West Yorkshire Transportation Conference. He was also a manager of Clayton Church of England School.

In 1976 Mr Hirst was adopted as the prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Bradford South from a short list of 26. He retired from council life in 1990.

Mr Hirst was born in Dewsbury but lived most of his life in Bradford.

He earned a national reputation in the world of motorcycle racing and was Yorkshire Champion in 1958. He also represented the north of England from 1947 to 1957.

He set up is own business, JK Hirst Motorcycles, on Thornton Road, Bradford, and is still run by his son Stephen and business partner Glen Kirk, following his retirement at the age of 70.

He was married to Joan, who pre-deceased him by 21 years, and leaves four children, John, Stephen, Carol and Tony, and seven grandchildren.