A "tenants' champion" who led the campaign for a £1.5 million overhaul of flats dubbed Alcatraz has died of cancer aged 72.

Margaret Adams, pictured, received an OBE in 1986 for her work with fellow residents at York House, Thorpe Edge, where she lived for about 30 years.

And today housing chief Geraldine Howley paid tribute to the former chairman of York House Residents Association for her selfless service to the community.

Before the improvements, the York House tower block with 124 flats was named after the notorious San Francisco island jail because tenants said they felt like prisoners within its concrete walls.

After the huge refurbishment, many described their homes as "little palaces".

Mrs Howley, chief executive of Bradford Community Housing Trust, which took over all the district's 26,000 Council houses earlier this year, said: "She was known as the tenants' champion. She gave all her time, energy and efforts to working voluntarily with the community. She will be missed."

Mrs Adams, who will be cremated at Rawdon Crematorium on Tuesday, had a daughter, son, three grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Her daughter Ursula Nunoo said: "I was so proud of her when she was awarded the OBE but it never went to her head. She remained down to earth and still went to the shop in her slippers. If you needed her, she was always there and she was always fair to everyone."