Les Kersh, who represented Park ward for 25 years, passed away at his Grange Park home on Sunday.

He had suffered from emphysema and chest problems for a number of years and had a lung transplant operation in 2001 after giving up smoking in 1999.

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Despite his illness, Coun Kersh continued to attend meetings at the town hall until his health deteriorated further.

The Labour stalwart, who was mayor in 1996, also ran a trade union advice centre on Talbot Road.

Champion

Coun Ivan Taylor, leader of the Labour group on the council, said: "He had been ill for some time, but even so his death has come as a shock to us.

"He was extremely well known to the people of Park ward and had done a tremendous amount of work over the years.

"He continued to attend council meetings although recently he had been in a wheelchair due to his condition."

Blackpool South MP Gordon Marsden said Coun Kersh had been a great "champion" and "advocate" for his ward.

He said: "He was very pugnacious on behalf of ordinary people and everyone, regardless of their political affiliation, admired the way he battled on despite his illness."

Council leader Coun Peter Callow said he had known Coun Kersh all his life, since they both grew up in the Revoe district. He said: "I remember Les was a bit of a firebrand when he started out on the council, but he mellowed with time.

"He battled against his illness with great fortitude and dignity and our sympathies go out to his relatives."

Liberal Democrat leader Coun Doug Green added: "Les was his own man.

"You may not have agreed with him, but he had his opinions and he stuck to them, and we're short of characters like that in politics."

It was not unknown for Coun Kersh's outspoken reputation to land him in trouble and in 2004 he had his knuckles rapped by the standards committee for an outburst of bad language at a public meeting in 2002.

He was divorced from his wife Margaret, with whom he had two daughters and several grandchildren.

His family were at his side when he died.

Coun Kersh, of Tynedale Road, retained his seat at last year's local elections.

A by-election will be held to choose a new councillor.