The family of a former Lord Mayor who has been turned down as an election candidate today spoke of their devastation about the decision.

Councillor Gordon Mitchell, 71, has appealed against a decision by the regional Labour Party not to include him on a panel of prospective candidates for the May elections.

Labour rules mean that branches must choose candidates from the panel.

Today his granddaughter Suzanne, 19, of Beaconfield Road, Clayton, said the family was deeply disappointed by the decision.

Coun Mitchell, 71, lost his application to be included on the panel with former Lord Mayors councillors Danny Mangham, 73, and Bob Sowman, who are also appealing.

Coun Sowman, 71, is chairman of the powerful Newlands Partnership which is administering a £17.6 million regeneration scheme.

Coun Mitchell, who serves the Clayton ward, was elected in 1977 and was Lord Mayor from 1996-7.

Bradford's Centenary as a city fell during his civic year and he welcomed the Queen here when she officially opened the £1.6 million Centenary Square.

His Bricks and Mortar appeal which raised funds for an extension for Manorlands Hospice in Oxenhope was based on the first hand experience he and his wife had of losing people close to them.

Within the space of four months his youngest sister Susan and sister-in-law Ann died from cancer. His appeal reached the record level of more than £210,000.

Suzanne, an insurance customer services officer, said: "He is a very committed and active councillor.

"He is popular and people have always turned out to vote for him and everything he has done. We hope he wins his appeal.

"The election is only three months away and it might have been the last time he stood. Everyone feels really proud of him and everything he has done."

She said she was writing to leader of the Council's Labour group, Councillor Ian Greenwood paying tribute to her grandfather's work and telling of the family's sadness.

A fourth former Lord Mayor Councillor Tony Miller, 62, will attend his meeting with the regional Labour party on Monday.

He says he feels confident and hopes to demonstrate his effectiveness as a councillor for more than 20 years at his interview. The appeals will be held by the board of the North West division of the Labour party.

The regional Labour party says it cannot comment on individual cases but the Telegraph & Argus understands there is a feeling in the national party that new blood is needed in local government.