A pub landlord from Silsden, described as "the life and soul of the party", has died after a long battle against lung cancer.

Alan Tunnicliffe defied doctors' predictions that he would not see last Christmas and spent the seasonal holiday partying in London, where he was living.

But after a long illness and contracting pneumonia he died last Monday at St Thomas' Hospital in London, at the age of 37.

Mr Tunnicliffe was first diagnosed with lung cancer almost two years ago when he was managing a pub called the Green Man in Slough.

He had moved to Balham in London after working in Eastburn and Bradford for John Foster and Son.

But his sister, Lynne Pickering, of Silsden, said he would always come back and see her whenever she needed him.

She said: "He would do anything for me despite his own problems and he adored my daughter Tiegan.

"He was fun, always partying and was always playing the goat.

"A few weeks ago he was out with me in a pub in Silsden and he was dancing all over the place."

And Mrs Pickering said her brother was planning to move back to the area and be cared for by family and Manorlands, the Sue Ryder Care hospice in Oxenhope.

Mr Tunnicliffe was brought up in Silsden by foster mother Violet Dolby, and attended Aire View and South Craven schools.

As well as his mother he leaves sisters Lynne and Karen, brother-in-law James and six nieces and nephews.

His funeral will be held at St James' Church, Silsden, on Friday at 10am, followed by an internment at Silsden Cemetery.

Flowers are requested from family only and donations, if desired, should be made to Manorlands.

A plate will be provided at the service or send to: c/o Thomas Clarkson's Funeral Directors, The Green, Silsden, BD20 9LA.