A TOUCHING tribute has been paid following the death of a "conscientious and compassionate" man who worked for Bradford Council for 50 years.

Brian Anderson, sadly passed away earlier this month on April 9 at the age of 75.

Mr Anderson held many roles, including Environmental Health Manager, during his half a century of service between 1967 and 2017.

He was involved in the investigation into the 1992 Allied Colloids' fire and helped oversee the exhumation of the graves at the Bradford Unitarian Chapel.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Bradford Unitarian Chapel was demolished in 1969 for the city centre re-development His wife Gillian Anderson, of 53 years, paid tribute by saying what he was like as a person and a professional.

"He was a very good husband and friend," she told the Telegraph & Argus.

"A very good father to our two children David and Rosemary and a very devoted granddad to our grandson Ewan.

"He was very good at what he did. He was on quite a lot of national committees to do with pollution and the environment.

"He was a very conscientious and compassionate person. He was very politically neutral in terms of professionalism with his job."

Mr Anderson began his work with the council at the age of 18 in 1967.

Over time, he had contact with the likes of Baroness Margaret Eaton, leader of Bradford Council between 2000 and 2006 as he focussed on the environmental issues concerning Bradford.

He was eligible for retirement in 2009 at the age of 60 but decided to work for three days a week until 2017.

In his pastime, Mr Anderson enjoyed being part of a brass band for much of his life.

"The band was his life," Mrs Anderson, of Eldwick, said.

"It dominated his life. He was dedicated, committed, and very well respected."

Mr Anderson learned to play trumpet at Salt Grammar and was invited to Hall Royd Methodist band in Shipley in 1965.

He stayed with them until 1980 before moving on to the Haworth band and then the Skipton band in 1996.

Mr Anderson was also conductor of the Giggleswick and Settle band for several years in the late nineties.

In October 2005, he was appointed deputy music director of the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service band in Birkenshaw.

Mr Anderson was diagnosed with stroke-related vascular dementia last year.

Mrs Anderson cared for him before he went on to live at Holden Grange nursing home in Baildon.

His funeral will take place at Shay Grange Crematorium on Friday, May 17 at 12.45pm.

Anyone wishing to attend may do so.