TRIBUTES have been paid to a “modest and self-effacing” campaigner who fought tenaciously for the rights of council tenants.

John Melson, who fought for the rights of the 13,000 council tenants in Brighton and Hove for many years, has passed away.

A public welfare funeral for the former chair of the High Rise Action Group, which represented the rights of residents living in high rise council housing, will be held for Mr Melson on Wednesday February 11 at 9.30am at Woodvale Crematorium off Lewes Road, Brighton.

Friends and former colleagues are now desperately trying to track down the daughter of the 76-year-old in time for her to attend the service.

Mr Melson was a father of one and a grandfather and his remaining family are believed to now be living in Suffolk.

No contact details have so far shown up among Mr Melson’s belongings for his remaining family members.

Friends said they had concerns about Mr Melson after not being able to contact him over the Christmas period.

He passed away in his flat in Wilshire House in Lavender Street, Brighton, on January 9.

London-born, Mr Melson moved down to Brighton later in his life and became well-known among council circles for his tireless work on housing issues.

Outside of work he was keen on boating and had owned a boat and a berth in Newhaven harbour.

SaveHove campaigner Valerie Paynter said: “He gave more to this city than the city ever knew he was giving.

“He had a real inquisitive intelligence and he was modest and self-effacing.

“He was able to get senior council officers round a table and get things done. “He is utterly irreplaceable in terms of his expertise and knowledge on council housing and properties although he had grown disillusioned with the tenants’ movement.”

Conservative Councillor Mary Mears worked for many years alongside Mr Melson on housing issues.

She said: “John worked tirelessly for many, many years but he had no side, he was just about standing up for tenants.

“All the while I was working with John I had no idea how he voted, he showed dedication solely for tenants not for any political party.

“It didn’t matter which party you were with, if John didn’t agree with you he would let you know.”