Brave former Lord Mayor Councillor Harry Mason died last night after a long battle against crippling motor neurone disease.

The former first citizen collapsed in July 1999, two months after becoming Lord Mayor of Bradford, and was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where he was not expected to live long.

But he vowed to battle on after being diagnosed with the terminal illness in the winter of that year.

His wife, former councillor Christine Mason, helped him to carry out his duties from his wheelchair.

Coun Mason remained Queensbury ward member and fought on helping the people of his constituency even after becoming bed bound a few months ago.

Mrs Mason, also a Queensbury councillor until last May, took calls from people who needed help and assisted her husband in dealing with them.

Today tributes poured in from all political parties for the much-loved man, with each highlighting the dignity he had shown in pledging to continue his work in the face of terrible hardship.

Coun Ian Greenwood, leader of the Labour Party, said: "It is tragic news that Harry Mason has lost his long fight against illness which he faced so bravely.

"He has shown a great deal of bravery throughout.

"He has been an outstanding public servant and an example to us all and will be sorely missed by the Labour Party, the people of Queensbury and the whole of the district who had learned to love him when he was so obviously ill, yet worked on in an exemplary way."

Coun Margaret Eaton, Conservative leader of Bradford Council, said political differences had not prevented her from respecting a colleague of immense courage.

She said: "Councillor Mason was a credit to democracy and I admire the way he carried on, it showed his strength.

"We are all extremely sad for his wife Christine and people all over the district will be very sad."

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Jeanette Sunderland said: "It is very sad, he was a much respected politician who carried on his work with great grace."

Lord Mayor Councillor Stanley King said: "Harry Mason was a thoroughly decent, thoughtful and kindly man and a very good councillor.

"During his civic year I greatly admired his resilience in the face of his rapidly advancing illness; he refused to let it gain the upper hand.

"When I saw him just a couple of weeks ago he was quietly cheerful despite being bedridden and totally dependent on a respirator. I am proud to have known him."

Coun King bore his friend in mind when he chose the neurology departments at Bradford Royal Infirmary and Airedale General Hospital as the beneficiaries of his appeal.

Barry Malik, president of the Bradford branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, said: "He carried on with his duties with great dignity and raised thousands for his charity. His death is a great loss."

During his illness Coun Mason, who would have been 75 next month, said his illness had given him an insight into the needs of disabled people.

His work for Marie Curie Cancer Care was a constant source of energy for Coun Mason, and an example of strength to others.

In December 1999, he said of his illness: "It was a shattering blow when I was diagnosed, although they had indicated it might be something like that."

He described the frustration of losing his physical capabilities, despite retaining alertness of mind: "This illness disables you physically, but I am still mentally alert.

"I have had great support from my wife and family and the civic staff, They have been superb. No one knows how hard Christine has worked."

Coun Mason leaves his wife and four children.