BRENT Council is in mourning after the death of a “protector of the rights of the people of Brent” on New Year's Day.

Councillor Arthur Steel, a former mayor of the borough, represented Kenton for more than 36 years before he passed away aged 74 at St Luke's Hospice following a long battle with cancer.

A by election will be held for his seat on the council in March.

Councillor Reg Colwill, a Conservative colleague, close friend and neighbour, said: “Arthur was a terrific ward councillor and a great protector for the rights of the people of Brent, particularly those in the Kenton area.

“More than that, he was an incredibly close friend, we lived in the same street and our children grew up together.

“He will be sorely missed both for his friendship and his experience as a ward councillor which always kept me in good stead.”

Cllr Steel, a resident of Draycott Avenue for 30 years, volunteered for charity Age Concern, as well as the army, and was on the board of housing association Brent Housing Partnership.

Born in Richmond, Yorkshire, on August 23, 1936, he was a keen football fan and chess player and was still playing with his grandchildren just two days before he died.

He worked at both the Daily Express and the Job Centre during his life, was on numerous council committees, particularly relating to education, and was Brent's mayor for the year 1993 to 1994.

He is survived by his wife Alda and three children Michael, Robert and Teresa, as well as eight grandchildren between the ages of 10 and 18.

Details of the funeral are yet to be announced.