HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to former Skipton mayor Martin Emmerson who collapsed and died while working on his market stall at the weekend.

Cllr Emmerson, who would have been 62 in October, was first elected onto the town council at a by-election in November, 2011, representing the south ward, and was mayor once, between 2016 and 2017.

During his time as the town's civic leader, he took part in the BBC's 'Our Dancing Town' which pitted towns and their communities against each other in a dance contest, and as a keen angler, he raised money for the Skipton Angling Association.

It was not his first appearance on television.

In 2012, shortly after being elected onto the council, he appeared on Channel 5's Benidorm ER. He had been on holiday and had ended up in hospital, in intensive care, with a bleed on the brain and dangerously low blood pressure.

To solve the problem, he had a pacemaker fitted and the 70-minute operation was filmed by the Channel 5 team.

And, as a union official, he appeared on Channel 4's political current affairs programme, Diverse Reports alongside Keighley MP, the late Bob Cryer during the bitter Silentnight strike of the 1980s.

A member of the Independent Respecting and Protecting Our Skipton group on the council, he was a member of the environment and planning committee since joining the council, apart from a year out when he sat on the public services committee.

He also had stints on both the finance and policy committee, and on the audit and scrutiny committee, and this year, had been a member of the events and tourism committee.

Born in Keighley, he moved to Skipton in 2001 and had traded on Skipton Market for about 36 years, helped by his father, Harry, who acted as his consort during his year as mayor.

When he was not working on his slipper stall, outside Boots, he worked for Lloyds Chemist, delivering prescriptions.

He was also a keen snooker player and fisherman, and a former winner of the All England Market Traders Fishing competition.

Council leader, Cllr Robert Heseltine, described Cllr Emmerson as a 'true friend' who he would miss enormously.

"Martin was always active and unfailing in ensuring the economic well-being of his home market town of Skipton.

"An important part of Martin's everyday life and thoughts were for those less fortunate than himself, raising substantial funds for the visually impaired, Skipton Street Angels and those with alcohol dependency.

"Martin's work and public service as a local town councillor for Skipton South Ward was something which gave him great satisfaction and the opportunity to put something worthwhile back into his community and beloved Skipton."

Cllr Heseltine added: "We will remember Martin for his kindness, his humour, his quiet courtesy to everyone, and his dedication to those in need.

"Whether it was listening to your problems while delivering NHS prescriptions across Skipton and surrounding areas, or chatting to residents and visitors on his High Street Market slipper stall, he was always eager to help everyone with their troubles and concerns.

"Martin Emmerson did not have an idle bone in his body and never thought ill of anyone. He was just an unassuming, absolutely true friend."

Andy Rankine, who served as his deputy until May 2017 when he followed him as mayor, said Cllr Emmerson would be greatly missed.

"I supported Martin as his deputy mayor, and he was a frequent visitor to my house in Skipton," he said.

"We were chatting on Thursday at my house and having a giggle about his recent holiday antics. He will always be known as Skipton's 'dancing mayor', and I will miss him for many reasons."

The current Mayor, Cllr Peter Madeley, said: “Martin was a dedicated member of Skipton Town Council. He was always cheerful and put other people first – a real people person. He will be missed by all."

Cllr Andy Solloway, a district and county councillor for Skipton, said: "Martin was a great character, a very good councillor and mayor and someone who had lived a full, varied and interesting life.

"I would often stop by his stall or he would pull up in his van and we’d catch up on the councils that we sat on and then quickly digress onto other things, most of which he had some knowledge or experience of.

"A real loss to Skipton in my humble opinion and my thoughts are with those who knew and loved him and his positive and cheerful outlook on life. Rest in peace, Martin."