BURY North MP David Chaytor has led the tributes to a staunch Labour supporter who died in a freak accident at his home.

Mr Harry Frederick Moxon suffered severe chest injuries when the car he was working under collapsed on him.

He was found by his wife, Gwynneth, and an off-duty police officer attempted to revive Mr Moxon until paramedics arrived. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival at Fairfield General Hospital shortly before 2pm on Monday (April 8).

Mr Moxon was a life-long Labour supporter and was preparing to pound the campaign trail for Labour during the run-up to the May 2 local elections.

It is believed the father-of-two was changing the engine oil when the car-jack slipped. The 75-year-old was due to celebrate his birthday today (Fri April 12).

Mr Chaytor said: "Harry was a wonderful, kind and generous man whom I have known for several years. He was a stalwart of Bury North Labour party, both in Holcombe Brook and previously in Unsworth.

"The tragic circumstances of his death have appalled everyone who knew him. He will be sorely missed by many, many friends and neighbours and our hearts go out to Gwynneth for having lost her husband in such awful circumstances."

Mr and Mrs Moxon enjoyed a starring role in Labour's General Election manifesto last year. A full page spread featured the retired couple with a local policewoman as part of the Government's fight against crime.

Born in Preston, Mr Moxon won a state scholarship in 1945 to Lincoln College, Oxford. During his time at university he joined the climbing club and was part of an expedition which climbed the Matterhorn.

After graduating, he started worked as a chartered accountant with the Co-op in Salford.

However, his love of walking lead him to meet Gwynneth and in 1970 they married in Buxton.

They moved to Chadderton Drive in Unsworth in 1972 and Mr Moxon became a governor of Mersey Drive County Primary School, Whitefield. In 2000, the couple moved to their current home in Kendal Road West in Holcombe Brook and Mr Moxon joined the governing body at Old Hall Primary School.

Mr Alan Cookson, head teacher of Old Hall said: "We found Harry to be an astute, wise and supportive voice on our governing body. He was a caring and committed colleague who could always be relied upon to be a critical friend in the best possible sense."

And Mr Chris Riley, the head of Mersey Drive and a long-time friend of Mr Moxon, added: "Harry was a very genuine, sincere, kind and committed gentleman and myself, Ann Audin, who is the chairman of governors, and all the staff and pupils at Mersey Drive will certainly miss him greatly."

Coming to terms with her loss, Mrs Moxon was being comforted at her home by friends and family.

She said: "Harry was a straightforward, honest, kind and loving man. He would do anything for anybody."

His two grown up children, Phil and Linda, described their dad as "an intelligent and modest man".

Mr Moxon and his wife were keen supporters of Bury's Twinning Association and had only recently acted as hosts to guests from Angouleme in France.

An inquest will be held today (Fri April 12) into the death of the grandfather of seven. The funeral is expected to take place next week.