FLAGS are flying at half-mast at council offices, church bells have been rung and leading politicians have stood in silence as part of an outpouring of tributes to “the most amazing local champion”.

Numerous accolades have been paid to Upper Dales councillor and firebrand campaigner John Blackie in books of condolence and on social media as many people whose lives he touched spoke of the high esteem they had for the 70-year-old, who died at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, last weekend 13 years after being told he had a 40 per cent of surviving cancer.

While Cllr Blackie battled over hundreds of issues during more than two decades as a North Yorkshire county, Richmondshire district and Hawes parish councillor, friends said he would perhaps be best remembered for leading a march through Northallerton in 2012, alongside the then Foreign Secretary and Richmond MP William Hague, calling for a “unique solution” for threatened maternity and paediatric services at the hospital.

Lord Hague of Richmond said Cllr Blackie’s dedication to maintaining public services in rural areas had been remarkable.

He said: “On local health issues he was particularly forceful and active, and despite our political differences on many matters I always found him ready to co-operate on anything to do with services at the Friarage Hospital. He was a campaigner who was always good to have on your side.”

A meeting of the county council’s Tory-led executive held a minute’s silence to reflect on the achievements of the Independent member, who was the authority’s Opposition leader.

Councillor Carl Les, leader of the authority, said: “He was a true community champion and helped to set a model that a lot of us are imitating, both around the county and around the country.”

Richmondshire District Council leader Councillor Angie Dale said Cllr Blackie, who led the authority from 2001 to 2007 and from 2011 to 2015, had “wanted to succeed in everything and more often than not he did” and would be “a great loss to the district”.

Cllr Blackie, who attended the UK’s oldest public school in St Albans, Hertfordshire, before going on to expand his father’s taxi firm, developed a passion for the Yorkshire Dales during family holidays and went on to run holiday cottages and tea rooms there.

He moved his family to the Dales in the 1990s, after leading a successful campaign to avert the closure of Wensleydale Creamery, highlighting issues faced in a “deeply rural area”, a phrase which he would become synonymous with.

David Hartley, managing director of the creamery, said: “Without doubt, John had a truly rounded perception of our community and what it needs to be both sustainable and successful. He was always prepared to stand up for what he believed in and what he perceived to be in the best possible interests of the community he served.“We owe a huge debt of gratitude to John Blackie. He fought tirelessly for what he believed in – people, social justice, fairness, opportunity for all, our environment, education, housing, rural economic prosperity and wellbeing – all wrapped up in the objective of prosperity for Hawes, Wensleydale and the Upper Dales.”

Alongside becoming known for colourful and forthright speeches in the council chamber, Cllr Blackie was highly regarded for the energy he devoted to roles on the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, as a Wensleydale School governor, the creation and running of The Little White Bus, becoming postmaster at Hawes Post Office in 2014, and the launch of a community petrol station.

Jill McMullon, Cllr Blackie’s partner, said he had tried to continue working for his community in the days before he died with members of his family, which includes his children Caroline, Elizabeth and Adrian and seven grandchildren, at his bedside.

She said: “In hospital he said ‘I’m not giving up. Have you done the fuel delivery? He tried to use his computer, but he couldn’t.”

Despite failing health in recent years, Cllr Blackie continued to get involved in countless political controversies, and often chose to go on the offensive to defend himself.

After defending himself in court 2009, Cllr Blackie was cleared of using threatening and abusive behaviour towards Councillor Melva Steckles, the former leader of Richmondshire District Council, after confronting her about his expulsion from the Richmondshire Conservative Association, with the judge criticising both the police investigation and RCA.

Ms McMullon added Cllr Blackie had also put his career on the line to defend his friends. She said: “He was outspoken, but there was a shyness to John. When we were on holiday he would always get me to do the talking. He loved his garden and would watch the red squirrels while typing. He was also incredibly proud of his children.”

A family funeral will be held for Cllr Blackie, and a memorial event to celebrate his life will be held at a date to be arranged.