TRIBUTES have flooded in following the death of popular Labour councillor Patrick Kavanagh.

Cllr Kavanagh, known to friends and constituents as Paddy, died early on Wednesday morning after suffering a stroke and brain haemorrhage two weeks ago. He was 56 and he leaves a wife, Sheila, son Paul and daughter Denise.

He represented John O'Gaunt ward on the city council for 16 years, becoming deputy mayor in 1996/97, and was also a popular figure at Lancaster City FC, helping the club raise money and supporting them from the terraces.

A former governor of the Cathedral School and parishioner and governor at St Bernadette's RC School, Cllr Kavanagh raised thousands of pounds for both schools. He first came to Lancaster from Liverpool in the 1960s and worked for many years at Williamson's before being made redundant four years ago. His last job was as a caretaker at Christchurch School, where he continued working until the day of his stroke. Fellow John O'Gaunt councillor, Eileen Blamire, said he was the kind of worker who inspired people to join the Labour party.

"The party will miss him terribly because of his sheer dedication. He was the kind of person every party would have been proud to have. He got things done which I never thought possible."

In a joint statement, the leaders of all Lancaster City Council's political groups, said: "We are all deeply saddened by Paddy's death. Paddy always worked hard for the people of John O'Gaunt ward.

"He was highly respected by everyone at Lancaster City Council and will be sadly missed. All our thoughts are with his wife Sheila and their family."