THE son of former Lord Mayor of Bradford Abid Hussain – who died on Christmas Eve after falling victim to Covid-19 – is bidding to follow in his father's footsteps as a councillor.

Mohsin Hussain has been chosen by Labour to contest Keighley Central at the Bradford Council elections in May.

Councillor Hussain had represented the ward since 2010 and served on a number of council committees over the decade.

He was Lord Mayor in 2017-18, during which time his Lord Mayor’s Appeal raised thousands of pounds for the Down Syndrome Training and Support Services in Bingley and the Wishing Well.

Mohsin, 26, who has his own immigration advisory firm based at Devonshire Street in the town, said: "I saw my father's passion and commitment for the community and loved and admired him greatly. I worked alongside him supporting projects and initiatives in the Keighley community which I’d like to continue. Losing him has been such a terrible time for our family, but also for Keighley as dad helped so many people."

Mohsin admits he made "a poor decision" in his younger years – he was given a suspended sentence after assaulting a man in the street and fleeing in a car – but says that since then he has strived to make something of his life.

"I made a poor decision a long time ago – when I was still a teenager – and took full responsibility for my actions," he said.

"It was a moment in my youth when I made a big mistake but it was a wake-up call and from there I made a clear decision to take a new path and I've worked hard to make something of my life.

"I went on to get a good degree from Leeds followed by my masters and I am now a qualified immigration and asylum legal advisor, as well as a professional qualified mediator who brings people of opposing views together.

"I've turned my life around and now enjoy making a positive contribution to Keighley. I've learned a lot in life and I’d encourage youngsters to take the right path and not to get off track. I am involved in a number of sporting activities acting as a mentor to the next generation. I love my community and have made it my mission to continue to make a positive difference."

Two people will be chosen to be district councillors in Keighley Central in May.

Labour's other candidate is Samantha Cooper.

She is a teacher at Holycroft Primary School and her two young children both attend a nursery in Keighley Central.

Samantha was elected to Keighley Town Council in 2019 and chairs its community development committee.

She has tabled council motions on various topics such as 'holiday hunger' facing children in Keighley and the implications for the town of Black Lives Matter.

She said: "Campaigning to get Keighley’s schools and nurseries the resources they need will be top of my agenda.

"My family enjoyed many days out by bus pre-Covid and I have a big interest in public transport. Like many others in lockdown, we have recently been spending a lot more time in the town’s wonderful parks and I would like to work with groups to ensure the sites are kept clean and tidy."

She added: "Abid spent his life bringing different communities in Keighley Central together for the common good and I want to continue that tradition."