TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Barnsley mayor after he died last weekend.

Brian Mathers started his working life as a joiner, working for the local firm Wilde and Hardy, and was soon drawn into the mining industry.

He later worked for the Post Office, moving into management after many years on delivery rounds.

This gave him an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Barnsley area which served him well when he moved into local politics, especially when delivering leaflets at election time.

As a local councillor for Ardsley from 1996 to 2004, he was involved in a wide range of community activities.

He played a key role in the formation of both the Barnsley Main Heritage Group and the Stairfoot Station Heritage Group.

He was re-elected to the Stairfoot ward from 2010 to 2018.

Brian was mayor along with his wife, Mary, as mayoress in 2015 to 2016.

Brian was well-known for his great singing voice - he enjoyed karaoke and also sang for many years in the famous Thurnscoe Harmonic Male Voice Choir.

Sir Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: ”Brian served residents of Ardsley and Stairfoot well in his time as a councillor and threw himself into several community initiatives.

“My condolences go to his family and friends.”