For decades Bramhope councillor Clive Fox devoted himself to politics and to doing his best for the people he represented.

So it is wholly fitting that his memorial service will not take place until after the business of the local elections.

His wife Diane says he would not want the service to interfere with the business of campaigning and of delivering leaflets.

Councillor Fox was to have stood for re-election to Leeds City Council next month – and despite her loss his widow has already pledged to campaign for the candidate who will replace him.

“I shall be working hard for the new candidate because I know Clive would have wanted that,” she said.

The simple statement says so much about the dedication of both of them to the things they believed in – and it is hardly surprising that tributes have been flooding in for Coun Fox across the political divide.

Described as a “thoroughly decent man,” Coun Fox was also a passionate environmental campaigner who had met his wife when they were both members of an action group fighting a proposed motorway.

Friends say he was fighting to protect the green belt from development right up until his death.

He will no doubt be sorely missed, not only by his family and friends but by the people he represented so well.