PARTY colleagues and neighbours have revealed the humorous, down-to-earth and likeable character that lay behind one of the country’s post-war political giants.

Tributes have continued to pour in for former chancellor and defence secretary Denis Healey who died peacefully at his Alfriston home on Saturday after a short illness.

The political world has heaped its tributes and accolades on the much-loved former Labour MP who played a major stabilising role during the rough political and economic waters of the 1960s and '70s.

Now local party figures and neighbours have painted a picture of a “cheeky” man of towering intellect who continued to play a prominent role in many facets of Sussex village life.

Lord Healey served as an MP for Leeds for 40 years from 1952 before joining the House of Lords in 1992.

He came close to winning the Labour leadership in 1980, finishing just ten votes behind winner Michael Foot.

He remained a dedicated party member well into his 90s and a well-known figure in and around Alfriston.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle Labour parliamentary candidate for Lewes at 2015 general election

He was still a very good supporter of the local Labour Party right up to the end.

He signed nomination papers for us, acting as proposer for candidates, and he came along to an Eastbourne comedy night in 2013 to introduce the night and even played a piece on the piano.

He was very knowledgeable on the arts and politics which aren’t often brought together in recent times which is a shame.

For that, and for his important role within the party, he will be remembered fondly.

Former Lewes MP Norman Baker

I knew Denis quite well. He was a nice man and very supportive of me as MP.

I came into contact with him at various events for Seaford Photographic Society and Seaford Brass Band.

My first meeting was before the 1997 election when it was looking close between us and the Conservatives and I bumped into Denis as he was getting out of his Mini in Broad Street, Seaford.

I cheekily asked him whether he would be supporting me and he said he would be hoping for the victory of a non-Conservative candidate.

He was a very astute political operator and had a great turn of phrase.

It’s not my original thought but he was the best Prime Minister Labour never had.

Alfriston neighbour Richard Baker MBE

I hadn’t spoken to him since I moved here about five years ago.

People suggested he would be more than happy for me to knock on his door but I did feel to I might be intruding.

I did meet him on several occasions in my time as general manager of The Grand when he came on day visits.

For visitors like Denis and Jim Callaghan, of that profile, I would make sure that we welcomed them and these sort of people were true gentlemen, they would always show their appreciation and respect.

Denis was a very gentle person.

Alfriston neighbour David Pierson

He was a very good neighbour. We shared a cesspit and he was always reliable.

He was just a good person and a good neighbour regardless of who he was or what he had done before in his life.

I went round a couple of times to his house, there were thousands of photographs that he had taken himself.

He had a very good sense of humour and was very cheeky with the ladies of all ages.

We spoke about politics, he was very proud that he had kept us out of the Vietnam War.

Former Brighton Pavilion MP David Lepper

I met him a few times and have very fond memories of the times he helped me campaign in Brighton Pavilion.

I think The Argus will have photographs of him playing the piano in New Road outside my campaign office.

His playing was bit like the Morecambe and Wise saying of playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the right order.

I also remember he made a great double act with Clive Dunn from Dad’s Army on a visit to a sheltered housing scheme.

He was a serious campaigner but he always made campaigning fun and that was one of the great things about him.

He was the last of that generation who experienced the extreme economic conditions before the Second world war, fought in the Second World war and went on to have a career in politics.

Former Brighton and Hove City Council leader Simon Burgess

He came to constituencies across Sussex until very recently, attending fundraisers and campaign meetings, and he always brought his sense of humour.

If he was building up to a speech, he would play the doddery old man and do a deliberate trip to gasps from the audience before stepping up and delivering a great speech. He loved playing the old man.

In spite of being involved in such intense political battles, he never got personal.

He had been caught in the crossfire of party politics but he always kept his sense of humour.

It’s a shame we are unlikely to see his kind in the future.

He was a better man for his incredible outside interests whereas now what is demanded of politicians is to be a computer reference of facts rather than having that broader knowledge.

Former Hove MP Ivor Caplin

In 2004 I presented him with the first veterans badge in the week before the 60th anniversary of the Monte Cassino operation which then Major Healey was a key part of the British element of that campaign.

The Westminster press pack all turned up and Lord Healey took the opportunity to have a long conversation with all reporters who were probably just hoping to get a quick photo.

He was one of the giants of the post-war Labour movement.

What he did in taking on Tony Benn in the 1980s laid the foundation for the work of Neil Kinnock and Tony Blair in modernising the party.

He was a great man, a great politician and a great servant of our county.

Brighton and Hove City Council deputy leader Les Hamilton

I met him in 1981 at the conference in Brighton during the election for deputy leader with Tony Benn.

I went down to a fringe meeting where I met Denis and the votes were about 50 point something per cent for Denis and 49 point something per cent for Tony Benn, but he seemed very calm.

He said it was going to be close but I might just pull it off and he did.

He didn’t seem to have a side to him, he treated everybody the same, he didn’t think of himself as a lord above people, he was a man of the people and that is why he last so long.