A stalwart of Keighley’s civic life has died in Manorlands Hospice, aged 72.

Keighley town councillor Brian Hudson, who was a former town mayor, passed away on Tuesday morning. The retired joiner and had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis.

Along with his widow, Maureen, he had served on Keighley Town Council since its foundation in 2002. He had represented Fell Lane and Westburn ward, and was previously chairman of the council’s planning committee.

His son, Mark, who manages the Three Acres Pub in Bingley Road, said: “He was very much for the people, never for himself.

“As much as he enjoyed his time as mayor, he was very selfless and it wasn’t something he did for his own ego or personal gain. He just loved doing things for his town.”

He added his father had wanted to stay active on behalf of Keighley even after he became seriously ill in October last year.

Coun Hudson was born in Keighley in 1941 and lived locally all his life. He met his future wife, then called Maureen Freeman, when they were both teenagers in Spring Bank.

The couple were married for more than 50 years, and had lived together in Bronte Drive, Oakworth, for 33 years.

Coun Hudson was mayor of Keighley for the 2007/08 civic year, and his wife was mayoress. Before the town council was formed, he had been a member of the Aireworth Reform Association, which campaigned for Keighley to have its own council.

A joiner all his working life, he retired from full-time work when he was 68. Coun Hudson was on Keighley Gala Committee for 30 years, and served as group chairman for much of that time.

He completed a long stint as Keighley Community Transport chairman, and he made props and sets for Holycroft Youth Theatre – later known as HYT – for 21 years.

His other roles included serving as chairman of the board of governors at Nessfield Primary School, and he was also involved with the Keighley branch of the Royal British Legion.

Coun Hudson’s funeral service takes place at midday on February 6 in St John’s Church, Ingrow. This will be followed by cremation at Oakworth at 1pm.