COUNCILLORS have paid tribute to former Mayor Barry Thorne with the current mayor describing him as "Mr Keighley."

Long-time local councillor and disability campaigner Barry Thorne died last month after several weeks of illness. His funeral was held yesterday.

And on Tuesday evening, members of Bradford Council paid tribute to Mr Thorne in the first full Council meeting since his death.

He represented Keighley on the Council, and fellow Keighley Councillor and current Mayor, Doreen Lee, said: "He always fight for Keighley, and I once said to him 'you think you're Mr Keighley.' He'd say to me' you think you're Mrs Keighley.'

"The town has lost a great Mr Keighley."

Disability campaigner and councillor Barry Thorne dies after illness

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said: "He touched the lives of so many people.

"He cared about people, and cared about the communities he served. He fought all forms of discrimination."

Councillor Dale Smith (Cons, Wharfedale) said: "Although we were on different political sides, we became firm friends. He was a champion of people with disabilities. He was a man for all people."

Councillor David Ward (Lib Dem, Bolton and Undercliffe) described Mr Thorne as man who had "a gentle side."

As well as being a Bradford Councillor, he also represented Haworth, Cross Roads and Stanbury Parish Council for eight years before serving as a Keighley Town Councillor.

He was Lord Mayor in the civic year 1992-93.