A FORMER Keighley man who became a national housing expert has died at the age of 50.

Andy Steele was the Emeritus Professor of Housing and Urban Studies at the University of Salford.

Mr Steele, who was brought up in Silsden, died at his home earlier this month after a two-year battle with cancer.

Mr Steele attended Hothfield Street School and South Craven School before studying at Newcastle and Hull universities.

In the 1990s, soon after joining the University of Salford, he founded an academic research unit to provide evidence to support the social housing sector.

Throughout his career, he worked to address housing inequality.

Mr Steele’s parents Brian and Kathleen, who live in Silsden, said they were very proud of their son’s achievements.