A former Bradford councillor who played a vital part in forming a national breakdown service has died at the age of 84.

Colin Wilkinson, who was elected onto Bradford Council in the 1960s, died peacefully in hospital on the Isle of Man on August 15.

Mr Wilkinson helped set up, and was chairman of National Breakdown, now known as Green Flag.

Last night, a Green Flag spokesman said: “As a successful local businessman, Mr Wilkinson was instrumental in forming National Breakdown and providing a new type of breakdown recovery service for customers across the country. More than 40 years on, Green Flag continues to help millions of customers every year.

“We would like to express our sincere condolences to the family of Mr Wilkinson.”

He leaves behind a wife, Barbara, three sons, Keith, Philip and Chris and a daughter Susan, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary earlier this year and received an official card from Buckingham Palace as well as one from the governor of the Isle of Man.

During his time as a councillor, he was on several committees including what was then called the baths committee. He did several other jobs in his working life including being a trainee plumber and, after doing other odd jobs, he began working for himself.

After buying his first home and doing most of the renovation work himself, he bought another one. Eventually, this became a pattern which led him into estate agency work in the area.

When Bradford became a Metropolitan District Council, he and his wife and children donated the new enamelled badge bearing the new coat of arms that is still worn by the current Lord Mayor of the city.

Despite leaving Yorkshire for the Isle of Man about 30 years ago, he was still proud of his Yorkshire heritage and kept in touch with local news.