The son of one of Bradford's leading politicians has died suddenly from a blood clot aged only 26.

Nick Sheard, son of Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for the environment and chief whip of the Council's Conservative group, was found unconscious at his home.

He was taken by ambulance to Airedale General Hospital, Steeton, where he was pronounced dead.

A respected and active sportsman, he was struck down by a pulmonary embolism - which more commonly affects the elderly or following an operation.

Coun Hawkesworth (Ilkley) said everyone who knew her son was devastated by the tragedy.

She said: "There were no signs at all - he was the most physically fit person I knew."

The fatal attack happened last Friday as Nick, pictured, was getting ready to go to his job as a trainee estate agent.

His fiancee Diane Robinson left their home in Ilkley at 8.30am but was called half an hour later with the news that an ambulance was on the scene and Nick was unconscious.

The couple had moved in together under three months ago and were due to marry next year.

Coun Hawkesworth said Nick had undergone an operation to repair cartilage damage last month, but had otherwise been in good health. He had spent the winter in Australia cricket training returning in the spring for the cricket season.

"I'd never seen him so healthy and well and happy. He came back to play at Ben Rhydding Cricket Club. He was a good cricketer - he was the best batsman that Ben Rhydding had," she said. "Words cannot describe how much I loved him. He was a wonderful boy and for a lot of my life, he was all I had. He was my partner."

The former pupil of Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge, had excelled at cricket from an early age, winning trophies from the age of ten.

Last year, he finished sixth in the table of overall averages in the Airedale and Wharfedale League. And in tribute to his cricketing prowess, his life will be celebrated with the opening of a new pavilion at Ben Rhydding Cricket Club which will follow his funeral at All Saint's Church in Ilkley on Friday.

Coun Hawkesworth said: "The new Ben Rhydding pavilion will be opened for the first time for Nick.

"He's been playing there since he was ten. He wasn't from Ilkley, but when we came to Ben Rhydding, the club was a wonderful place for him because it gave him direction, support and training.

"All the construction workers are there to get it finished. I hope that the funeral will be a celebration of his life and that afterwards, they will have a good party as that was what he would have wanted."

Today tributes from the cricket club were flowing in.

Treasurer Malcolm Christie, described Nick as the life and soul of the party.

"He was a lively character, very boisterous and he lived for cricket. It is still hard for us to accept that he has gone. It is a terrible shock."

Mr Christie described how the phone call on Friday evening about Nick's sudden death had left everyone shell shocked.

"We couldn't believe it. The Saturday match was cancelled as a mark of respect but it is hard to put into words how we are feeling. Our respects and thoughts are with Nick's mother and family."

Club chairman Frank Taylor said: "Nick's passing away has left a tremendous void in all our lives. Our deepest sympathies go to his mother and fiancee and we will not forget his enthusiasm, and passion for the game. He had an infectious energy which carried everyone along with him and he will be deeply missed."

Nick's best friend Paul Burnley, 27, who had known him since the age of four, said the loss had left a massive gap in his life.

"Nick and I were like brothers. I can't imagine my life without him, we have grown up together."