TRIBUTES have been paid to ex-Labour chancellor and former Keighley resident Lord Denis Healey, who has died aged 98.

The former Bradford Grammar School pupil served in Number 11 during the 1974-79 government and became the party's deputy leader in 1980 during a career on the frontline of British politics that began in 1952.

He died peacefully at his home in Sussex on Saturday morning after a short illness, his family said.

The Labour veteran grew up in Keighley, where his father was principal of Keighley Technical College, and on entering the House of Lords took the title Lord Healey of Riddlesden.

Ann Cryer, who was Labour MP for Keighley from 1997 to 2010, said: "He'd always ask me about what was going on in Keighley whenever we met in the Commons tearoom.

"He was very larger than life, and he did not take prisoners. If he disagreed with you, you'd know about it!

"He proved his loyalty by not joining the Gang of Four and their Social Democratic Party. He said you should argue from within the tent not from outside, which is something that is so relevant today.

"He and his wife, Edna, were very close and fond of each other. When he made a speech for her at a celebration of their diamond wedding in the Speaker's house, it was so moving. There wasn't a dry eye in the room."

Lord Healey served as a major in the Royal Engineers in North Africa and Italy.

During the hard-fought Second World War Anzio landings, he was a beach master, received the MBE and was mentioned in despatches.

He stood unsuccessfully for election in 1945 and eventually entered the Commons as MP for Leeds South East in 1952.

He reached the Cabinet as defence secretary in 1964, but he will be remembered for his role as chancellor during a turbulent time for the British economy, which saw the UK forced to go to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout.

Lord Healey twice ran for the Labour leadership, but was defeated by James Callaghan in 1976 when Harold Wilson quit, and then again in the contest with Michael Foot in 1980, which led to the party's leftward shift in opposition to Margaret Thatcher.