KEIGHLEY-born Eric Pickles, a former leader of Bradford Council, has spoken of his delight after Downing Street announced he was to be knighted.

The Conservative will be made a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his public service as MP, a former Cabinet minister and his time in local government, No 10 said.

Former Worth Valley councillor Mr Pickles, who was first elected to Parliament in 1992, lost his frontbench Communities Secretary role following the General Election.

“When I left the Cabinet the Prime Minister asked if I would accept a knighthood and I indicated that I would, but it then has to go through a committee. I’m very pleased,” he said.

He said his family was “absolutely delighted” and he was looking forward to his investiture.

“I’m obviously very pleased with the honour and am looking forward to my day at the Palace,” he said.

Mr Pickles started out in local politics in Bradford in 1979, becoming leader nine years later.

He was a controversial figure during his time in the district, with his regime as council leader dubbed the Pickles Revolution.

In 1988-89 the Conservatives had 45 seats on the local authority, Labour 43 and the Liberal Democrats, two.

The city’s Lord Mayor – traditionally a neutral figure – Councillor Smith Midgley, was persuaded by Mr Pickles to use his casting vote to push through controversial issues, including proposals to sell old people’s homes.

The move sparked fury both inside and outside the council chamber and led to a ten-year feud with Labour.

There were mass demonstrations outside an authority meeting and a leading cleric even withdrew an invitation for Cllr Midgley to switch on illuminations at his church.

As soon as Labour came into power the following year, it dropped the longstanding tradition of rotating the Lord Mayoralty between the different political groups in protest at what had happened.

In 1999, the dispute finally came to an end when veteran Conservative councillor Stanley King was announced as the next Lord Mayor of Bradford.

Mr Pickles, the Brentwood and Ongar MP, served as Communities Secretary for the duration of the last parliament and had previously been Tory party chairman.

The Conservative Group on Bradford Council this week congratulated Mr Pickles.

Group leader, Councillor Simon Cooke, said: “Eric has served the public for many years now, including specifically serving the people of Bradford district, as a councillor, portfolio holder and eventually the leader of the council.

“While this would in itself have been a demonstration of his commitment to public service, he has served as an MP for over 20 years now, rising to be Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, at a time when many would have shied away from the role.

“He has done great service for the people of Bradford and the country, and the Conservative Group has written to congratulate him on becoming a Knight Bachelor and wish him well.”