Tributes were today paid to a former Lord Mayor of Bradford who has died aged 78.

John Senior, who was Lord Mayor from 1979 until 1980, died of a suspected heart attack only days before he was due to see his grandson for the first time.

Mr Senior, who served the Council for 38 years, collapsed as he was getting out of a car by his home in Montserrat Road, Bradford, on Christmas Day.

His son, Paul Senior, arrived in the UK from his home in Melbourne, Australia, on Monday with his pregnant wife Margaret Ryan and 14-month-old son Michael John to spend New Year with his family.

Mr Senior, 47, said: "My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer a couple of months ago and was coping with it quite well.

"He was coming home from Christmas lunch with some friends at a golf club and he had a heart attack getting out of the car. He died very suddenly and there was nothing that could be done.

"We were coming home to spend New Year with dad and we missed him by a couple of days. This would have been the first time he saw his grandson so it was tragic he never got to see him.

"He was a very kind man and he placed a lot of value in the public service he did. He had a great love of sport, especially cricket, and he followed Yorkshire avidly. "He was also a very passionate supporter of the Labour Party. He admired Tony Blair but he was very much a traditional Labour politician."

Mr Senior, who was 78, had worked for Yorkshire Electricity Board as an electrician and later in sales until he retired at the age of 55.

During his time as a Tong councillor he had served as Deputy Lord Mayor, Council leader, leader of the Labour group and chaired numerous committees as well as helping to set up the Bradford Family Services Unit in the early 1950s, which was one of the first of its kind in the UK.

His wife Marjorie, who was a West Yorkshire county councillor for five years, died four years ago.

"He was a very kind and caring man who enjoyed cricket and having a few beers with his friends at the pub," said Paul.

"The last time I spoke to my dad was just before we went to Sydney to see my wife's family and he was saying that he was feeling well, wasn't in any pain and was looking forward to seeing us.

"He was a good dad. For the last few years he has been helped and taken care of by his niece Mary Fieldhouse and her husband John, who were very kind and decent to my dad."

Mrs Fieldhouse, 59, of Shipley, said: "John will be missed by everyone. He was a very proud and dignified man and I am very proud of what he did for Bradford Council over the years. He devoted his life to his Labour Party and the Council."

Fellow councillors and politicians also paid tribute to Mr Senior, who was a member of Yorkshire County Cricket Club and East Bierley Cricket Club.

Bradford South Labour MP Gerry Sutcliffe said: "I knew John for 30 years. He gave years of service to Bradford and Senior Way in the city centre was named after him.

"He had been in the Labour Party most of his life. He came from strong working- class roots and very much believed in Bradford. He was a nice guy committed to politics and the city and he will be fondly remembered by people."

The Council's Labour group leader, Councillor Ian Greenwood, said: "I knew John throughout all of my political career. He was one of the most respected and longest-serving councillors in the history of Bradford Council. He was well-known for his commitment and good humour. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him."

Councillor Barry Thorne (Lab, Keighley West) said: "I am really sad. John was leader of the Labour group when I came on the council in 1974. He was a great support and a kind person and I will really miss him."

Mr Senior's funeral service and cremation will be held at Scholemoor Cemetery, Bradford, on January 5.