TRIBUTES have been paid to disabled champion and former Mayor of Blackburn, Clifford West, who has died aged 88.

The former St Stephen’s ward Labour councillor, of Deganwy Avenue, was awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 1987 New Year’s Honours for his service to the community.

The award recognised his 17 years as an inspector at Remploy, Blackburn, where he ran a savings club for disabled workers, and founded a social club organising sports events, Christmas parties and outings.

His daughter Christine Mulligan, 62, said: “Politics was his life. There were always people ringing him or coming to the house for help, and even when he wasn’t involved anymore he’d make sure he pointed them in the right direction.

“He had an accident with his hand working in the glass house for Mullards in Blackburn, which meant he had to stop and he went to Remploy. It was there he came into contact with a lot of disabled workers and wanted to help them.

“When he got the BEM he was so proud, and so were the whole family, but he kept asking ‘Why have I got it?’ Despite chronic arthritis, he also devoted himself to council duties on the recreation, community employment and buildings committees of the council for 16 years. Before he retired, he served as mayor from 1984 to 1985, during which time he and wife Edith raised over £8,000 for blind and deaf children.

Originally from Hyde, Manchester, Mr West was stationed in Samlesbury during the Second World War, where he met wife Edith, and then settled in Blackburn.

The couple had six children – Christine, Clifford, David, Julie, Andrew and Mandy – eleven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Coun Andy Kay, current Labour representative for Higher Croft, said: “Cliff was a great supporter of the Labour party and a great representative of the people of Blackburn. He was a really grand man, and the news of his death is very sad for the community.”

Mr West died last Wednesday from bronchial pneumonia.

The funeral is at 1.30pm on Wednesday at St James’ Church, Blackburn, followed by interment at Pleasington Cemetery at 2.30pm.