A FORMER Silsden man who became a national housing expert has died at the age of 50.

Andy Steele was the Emeritus Professor of Housing and Urban Studies at the University of Salford.

Mr Steele, who was brought up in Silsden, died at his home earlier this month after a two-year battle with cancer.

Mr Steele attended Hothfield Street School,Silsden, and South Craven School, Cross Hills, before studying at Newcastle and Hull universities.

In the 1990s, soon after joining the University of Salford, he founded an academic research unit to provide evidence to support the social housing sector.

Throughout his career he worked to address housing inequality, leading studies in areas such as community cohesion, homelessness, fuel poverty and regeneration.

Mr Steele’s parents Brian and Kathleen, who live in Silsden, this week said they were very proud of their son’s achievements.

Prof Nigel Mellors, a close colleague of Mr Steele, said: “Andy made a significant contribution to our university, not only through his work but as a person.”