TRIBUTES have been paid to East Lancashire's first Asian mayor for 'helping break down barriers' after his death.

Mirza Mohammed Yousaf J. P. served as mayor of Hyndburn from 1996 to 1997 and was on the council for nine years.

When he was first appointed, with his daughter Shaheen named as his Mayoress, he became the first Asian mayor in Hyndburn and across East Lancashire.

The father-of-three died on Saturday, age 81, from a heart condition.

He represented Peel ward in Accrington and won elections in 1990, 1991 and 1995.

Mr Yousaf also served for many years as a Justice of the Peace at the magistrates court in Accrington.

Hyndburn MP Graham Jones, who was a former Peel ward councillor alongside Mr Yousaf paid tribute to the work he put in.

Mr Jones said: "Mirza used to be very active in the Labour Party.

"I first met him at our monthly meetings.

"He was a very polite and kind person who up until recently was still attending Milnshaw Labour party branch meetings.

"He was more than a likeable colleague, I bumped into him frequently and he always wanted to talk about politics and Hyndburn.

"He was one of those people of stature in the local Labour Party who you listened to if he gave advice. He will sadly be missed by us all."

Cllr Noordad Aziz, who represents the Netherton ward on Hyndburn Council, was one of those who attended his funeral on Sunday at Accrington Raza Jamia Masjid and the burial at Blackburn's Pleasington Cemetery.

He said: "He was a wonderful individual who gave a stellar service to Hyndburn.

"As the first Asian mayor in the North West he broke down barriers.

"He was a really really pleasant and nice chap.

"The amount of people at his funeral and genuine good words said shows to me Hyndburn lost one of its genuine amazing individuals."

Cllr Munsif Dad said he knew him since meeting Mr Yousaf when he was working as an adviser at the Community Advice Centre in Accrington in the 1980s.

Cllr Dad, who is also a former mayor, said: "I knew him for a long, long time, he was a nice and humble gentleman.

"He did a lot for the community, as a magistrate, as a councillor and as a community activist.

"He was the first Asian and Pakistani councillor in Hyndburn.

"He leaves a lot of family, friends and admirers who he helped during his time.

"We pass on our condolences to his family."