A stalwart of the Labour movement on the Fylde Coast has died at the age of 89.

Former councillor and author, Alf Goldberg, passed away last week after a stroke.

Born in Chelsea, Mr Goldberg left school at the age of 14 to become an apprentice mechanic in the World's End area of London. There, he saw at first hand the rise of Sir Oswald Mosley and his right wing British Union of Fascists.

He was one of the last remaining veterans of the Battle of Cable Street, during which 100,000 protestors gathered to prevent Sir Oswald and his supporters from marching through the East End 70 years ago this year.

He later recalled his experiences from that time in a much-admrired book, 'World's End for Sir Oswald' published in 1999.

In his foreword to the book, veteran Labour campaigner, Tony Benn, called it: "Beautifully written with rare insights into the circumstances of the time," while the magazine Tribune described it as: "Both politically important and highly entertaining."

During the second world war he served in the RAF, spending time based on the Fylde Coast at Weeton, and helped to set up the West Africa Air Corps, a special force which trained African technicians so RAF engineers could concentrate on supporting the Allies in Europe.

In 1954 he and his family moved to the Fylde Coast when he became transport manager for Unilever Allied Supplies, covering an area from the Midlands to Scotland. From 1971 until his retirement he ran a successful garage and service station in Thornton.

Retirement allowed him to increase his involvement in politics and he quickly became established in the Labour Party, serving as chairman of the Fylde Labour Party and president of the local Trades Union Council.

Along with his wife, Dolly, he started the Blackpool and Fylde Coast Co-operative party, of which he remained chairman until his passing, and encouraged younger members to take an interest in the co-operative movement.

He stood as a Labour candidate for his home village of Staining and was elected to Fylde Borough Council. He was leader of the Labour group and, for a time, was the only Labour member of the Conservative and Independent dominated authority. He also chaired Staining Parish Council, worked tirelessly with the Pensioners' Association and was chair of governors at Red Marsh School, Thornton, for 20 years, standing down only recently.

Jack Croysdill, chairman of the Blackpool North and Fleetwood Labour Party, said: "His dedication and work for the community was immense and is to be admired.

"He was a very remarkable man with a high intellect. His knowledge embraced subjects far removed from politics. He loved the challenge of a good conversation or debate. He was a stalwart of the Labour movement whose presence will be missed."