Tributes were today paid to the former vice-chancellor of Bradford University, Professor Colin Bell, who died suddenly at work.

Mr Bell, aged 61 and a father-of-four, was preparing for a lecture at Stirling University in Scotland, where he worked, when he collapsed.

A funeral will take place in Stirling on Tuesday followed by a special service to celebrate his life on July 2.

A sociologist and expert in race and ethnic relations, he joined Bradford University in 1998 from Edinburgh University.

A Bradford University spokesman said today: "He made a great impact at Bradford, and is remembered with warmth and respect by colleagues within the university.

"One measure of his achievements is that he is remembered with appreciation for his professional contribution and affection for his personal qualities by those such as students and staff unions, who might conventionally be expected to be at loggerheads with vice-chancellors."

Professor Bell was also chairman of the Common Purpose Advisory Group in Bradford, which is a training and development organisation.

Its director Linda Crossley said: "Prof Bell really relished the work he did with us, giving access to so many different communities.

"He was very supportive of our work and gave up a lot of his own time to get involved."

Actress Dame Diana Rigg, chancellor of Stirling University, sent her condolences to his family.

"I held the deepest respects for a wonderful man," she said.

On his arrival in Bradford, Prof Bell spoke of the university being a "major force" in the district.

He said: "Bradford has a proud record of multi-cultural education and has stood out against higher fees for overseas students for a long time."

He broke with tradition when his official portrait was done in photographic form rather than a painting.

His resignation two and a half years later shocked the authorities as it was usual for vice-chancellors to stay in post for at least five years.

On the decision to leave, he said: "This was not an easy decision to make as I have been very happy here at Bradford. But the new post is a tremendous opportunity."

Prof Bell moved to become principal and vice-chancellor at the University of Stirling.

He was firmly against top-up fees and supported a return to the grants-based system.

His funeral will be held at 11am on Tuesday at Albert Halls, Dumbarton Road, Stirling.