Tributes paid following death of Blackpool councillor

10:06am Wednesday 23rd April 2008

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The death of Councillor Les Kersh has led to tributes from across the political spectrum.

Coun Kersh, 69, who represented the Park ward for almost 25 years, died on Sunday after a prolonged period of ill health at his home on Tynedale Road, Grange Park, in the resort.

Known as a particularly hard working Labour councillor, Mr Kersh was a well known figure in Blackpool and gained the admiration of colleagues and constituents by continuing to attend meetings and work for those he represented despite having a lung transplant in 2001.

Labour MP for Blackpool South, Gordon Marsden, said: "Les was a champion of ordinary people and represented their interests with passion regardless of their political views.

"The way he battled on despite is ill health in the last few years and months gained him the admiration of all."

Blackpool council's Labour group leader Ivan Taylor said councillor Kersh was an extremely passionate about the people of Park ward and although he had been ill for some time his death had come as a shock to his party colleagues.

Leader of Blackpool Council, Conservative Peter Callow, said despite their political differences he had the utmost respect for him.

He said: "Les and I grew up together a street apart in Revoe. He was a very capable and hardworking councillor.

"When first elected he was known as a firebrand but in recent years he mellowed.

"All at the council give our sympathies to his family."

Councillor Kersh was divorced from wife Margaret and has two daughters.

In addition to his council duties, councillor Kersh ran a trade union advice centre on Talbot Road.

A by-election will be held for his seat on the council on a date to be decided.