THE family of former district councillor Rory Hallahan have paid tribute to the man they describe as "an inspiration to others".

The 57-year-old Labour party representative died at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge on April 29 after developing a tumour in his liver. Last week family, friends and colleagues packed St Peter's Church in Hatfield to bid farewell to the man who had been a councillor in the Haldens Ward since 1998.

Speaking after his funeral, Mr Hallahan's wife Kathleen, 55, said his positive attitude towards other people and life in general would be sorely missed.

She added: "In all his different roles family, work and councillor he was a mentor and very inspirational to all those who met him. He encouraged so many people to stand up for what they felt and to fulfill their true potential.

"He was a very ethical and principled person with a strong social conscience and that was reflected in his decision to become a local councillor."

Margaret Birleson, Labour leader of the district council ,added: "He was a very hard-working colleague who was very committed to his work. It is a great loss and a shock to us all. We send out our deepest condolences to his family."

Fellow labour party colleague and district councillor Paul Orrett said he was shocked and saddened at the news. He added: "Rory was a committed and hard-working member of the Labour Party and a great family man. I valued his help and support when I was a new councillor. He will be sorely missed. Rory worked hard for Haldens. He was particularly active in the campaign to save Haldens Post Office last year and he will be a great loss to the community."

Mr Hallahan, who lived in Hatfield was a former arts and drama lecturer who later became a senior technician at Central St Martins University of Arts in London. He married Kathleen in 1973 and they had two children Fiona, 24, and Liam, 21.

His love of music and art was only eclipsed by his lifelong fascination with motorcycles. Following the funeral procession last week were six friends riding motorbikes. Mrs Hallahan said her husband got into motorbikes at an early age and remained faithful to them throughout his life. He always owned and rode them and would customise them at every opportunit, she said..

The family has set up a memorial fund to pay for the rehabilitation of Mr Hallahan's close friend Steve Sparshott who was injured in a road accident two years ago. The Black and Chrome Memorial Fund named after Mr Hallahan's love of motorbikes will help pay for a trip to specialist clinic in Cuba.

To make a donation send cheques, payable to the Black and Chrome Memorial Fund, to Austins 33, Wigmores North, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6PG.