The Conservative Leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor Michael Cowan, has died at the age of 73.

Councillor Cowan, who represented the Wollaton ward, died in the early hours of the morning on June 12th after a long battle with cancer.

He was first elected to the old Nottingham Council in 1971, representing Wollaton, which he also served for Nottinghamshire County Council from 1974.

Following further reorganisation of local government in 1998, Coun Cowan represented Wilford for Labour before joining the Conservatives a year later and returned to representing Wollaton, near his Lenton home. In May this year he was elected as Leader of the Conservative Group on Nottingham City Council.

Leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor Jon Collins, said:

"I was sad to hear of his death. In many respects he was an individual of great capability. He was a difficult political opponent who could be brutal and difficult at one moment and immensely charming and good company the next. He will be missed."

Wollaton West Councillor Georgina Culley said:

"Michael was a committed politician who worked hard to serve both Nottingham City and the people of Wollaton and will be greatly missed. On a personal level I shall miss him greatly as a friend and a ward colleague. He was totally committed to helping people.”