BLACKPOOL Council Leader George Bancroft has lost his fight for life.

Coun Bancroft, aged 66, died in Victoria Hospital. He had been ill for several weeks and was in the intensive care unit at the hospital after suffering from septicaemia, which had been traced to a stomach ulcer, and undergoing surgery.

He had suffered three heart attacks in the past.

His death was announced during a council meeting at the Town Hall at around 12.30pm. Announcing the adjournment of the meeting as a mark of respect to Coun Bancroft, Blackpool Mayor Sue Wright said: "This is one thing that I hoped I would never have to do. We have lost a great member of this council and to most of us a very, very dear friend."

She told The Citizen: "I think George Bancroft was an outstanding leader of this Council. The contribution he made to the life of Blackpool and in making things better for the people of Blackpool has been phenomenal.

"You don't usually associate kindness with politicians but George's kindness was incredible. He was a man you could talk to about anything.

"He was well-loved by staff here at the Town Hall and the ones who had the closest contact with him would all agree that he was one of the best. I personally have lost a dear and true friend and my heart goes out to his family.

"It's often said that a light goes out when someone dies and it's true in George's case. A shining light has gone out in Blackpool."

Acting Labour Leader Roy Fisher said: "We are obviously very, very stunned and shocked by his death.

"The whole council appreciated the work he did for Blackpool. He was a very well-respected figure across the parties and will be sadly missed.

"His political integrity was beyond compare and I think that not only this council but this town has lost a great man.

"His family were obviously the most important thing to him. I met with them over the past few weeks and the support they gave him was great. He will be sadly missed."

And Conservative Leader Peter Callow also spoke of his admiration and respect for Councillor Bancoft: "I held George in the highest esteem and with a great deal of affection.

"As the leader of the Conservative group I crossed swords with George many times, but outside the council chamber we had a great relationship.

"I went to see George when he was in hospital and we had a laugh and a joke and he pointed out to everyone in sight that I was a Tory and I had come to see him. There was no animosity between us at all.

"In my view George was a battler who never ducked a discussion. He put his head above the parapet and that's the way he conducted his life."

Town Hall staff were also shocked and saddened by the Council Leader's death. Blackpool Council Chief Executive Graham Essex-Crosby said: "He was so well liked and respected by all the staff at the Town Hall. Everyone's thoughts are with his family."

Coun Bancroft, who lived on Holmefield Road, Bispham, had been Council Leader since July, 2000, and before that had been Deputy Leader since May, 1991.

He was elected as the Labour Councillor for Brunswick Ward in 1987 and had previously served as a councillor for five years in the Oldham area in the early 1970s. He moved to Blackpool with his wife, Hilda, in 1979. The couple have two sons and a daughter.

He was a railway worker throughout his working life and continued to take an interest in transport issues after his retirement. He was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the community in 1992 after being nominated for the award by British Rail.

Cour Bancroft had been a Justice of the Peace since 1985 and was involved in politics in the Labour and Trade Union movement all his life, but always found time to support Manchester United and enjoy his hobbies -- reading, political history and writing short stories.