THE family of a former Otley man who died after being robbed and beaten outside his Shipley home said yesterday their lives would never be the same without him.

Bryan Smith, who suffered from learning difficulties and would have been 42 tomorrow, was described as a 'loving and caring man and real character' who had overcome a string of obstacles in his life.

He was born in Otley, attended Tranfield School, which is now part of Greenmeadows Special School, in Guiseley and used to work at the town's Silver Cross pram factory. Mr Smith had moved from Otley to Ilkley in 1970 at the age of 10.

His tearful mother, Eileen, said she would never come to terms with the way he had been attacked in the early hours of New Year's Day.

"It has all been a terrible shock," she said. "It is the not knowing what has happened to him which makes it so difficult. We still don't know what went on and probably never will.

"I am just numb about it. I had spoken to him in the early hours of New Year's Day and he was just so happy. He just said 'Happy New Year mum' then said he had to go. That was the last time I spoke to him."

Mr Smith collapsed several hours after been beaten and robbed and was taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary. He was put on a life-support machine but suffered a blood clot on the brain.

Detectives launched a murder hunt earlier this week.

The family, including brothers Martin, of Silsden, and Adrian and sisters Jackie Hehir and Anita Wild, who all live in Ilkley, said they have received hundreds of cards and letters from devastated friends of Bryan since his life support machine was switched off on Sunday.

Many of the messages of condolences have come from Ilkley and Otley where Bryan grew up.

His brother Martin, 46, said Bryan had often been bullied because of his disability but had always refused tolet it get him down.

"There will not be a pub big enough in Ilkley to hold all his friends and family after the funeral. Ilkley and Shipley will be totally different places without him."

He said: "We will never let this rest. We will fight for the value of Bryan's life because he is that important to us."