TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Lord Mayor of York, who has died at the age of 91.

Bill Fairclough was Lord Mayor in 1981-1982.

During his year as York's first citizen, he met the Duke of Edinburgh and the young - and recently married - Prince and Princess of Wales, Charles and Diana: something he remained proud of all his life, said family member Lesley Lister.

Mr Fairclough was a Westfield councillor in York for many years, first as a Liberal and then as a Liberal Democrat.

Most recently he served as a councillor for the Holgate ward, from 2003 to 2007.

Paying tribute to him, Westfield councillor Andrew Waller said: “Bill had time for everyone, and was dedicated to his work for the local community.

"He had a tremendous sense of humour, was a true team player, and supported me enormously when I started as a councillor ‘showing me the ropes’ and explaining the background to local issues and how to get things done for constituents.”

Mr Fairclough had been very much part of the Westfield community as a long-time resident of Stuart Road, Cllr Waller added.

"He served as a Liberal and later Liberal Democrat councillor for two decades in Westfield, serving on York council as well as North Yorkshire County Council.

"Along with Beryl, his late wife, they made a great team - especially in the year when they were Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress in 1981/2.

"He was a very down to earth, approachable, family man, who fondly remembered his time working at the Glassworks, and appreciated the problems faced by local residents.

"He took up thousands of pieces of casework for local people over his time as a councillor and stood up as local champion. His dedication to public service was shown by his persuasion out of retirement to do four years in Holgate ward as a councillor 2003-7.”

Fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Carol Runciman added: "He was a lovely man. He put his heart and soul into being Lord Mayor and was a great ambassador for the city."

Mr Fairclough passed away at home on September 15.