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READING'S civic bosses were in shock this week after a popular and hardworking Labour councillor collapsed and died.Jim Hanley, 51, died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital of a suspected heart attack early on Friday morning after collapsing at his Wood Road home in Caversham.His death stunned his family, friends and colleagues because he was not known to have been unwell.Cllr Hanley was planning to step down at the May election, having started a new career as a social worker. He served on Reading Borough Council for 12 years, taking particular interest in planning issues, and chairing the plans committee until last May. He leaves his partner, the former Reading Labour Party chairwoman and borough councillor, Trish Thomas.Reading Labour Party leader Jo Lovelock said: "We are all in a state of shock following the sudden death of Jim Hanley at such a young age. Jim was someone who could relate to people from all walks of life."He cared deeply about working to make improvements for Reading and really listened to what people wanted. Our hearts go out to Trish his partner, and the rest of his family. We will miss him so much."Veteran councillor Mike Orton, who served alongside Cllr Hanley in Whitley, added: "Jim was in politics to serve the community. His approach was warm and friendly but he always stood up fiercely for Whitley. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."Labour's former Reading West MP, Martin Salter, contacted The Chronicle from Australia to pay tribute to Cllr Hanley. He described him as one of the Reading Labour movement's finest and said he cannot remember in his 25 years in public life a politician who was more universally liked and respected across the political divide.He added: "Perhaps it was because he was a warm and friendly man with a great sense of fun who genuinely liked his fellow human beings, or it was perhaps because he never bore a grudge or displayed malice. Jim was all of these things but also much, much more."Tory councillor Richard Willis added: "Cllr Hanley was a very well respected councillor and one of the true gentleman on the council. You could cross swords with him politically but he would always remain on good terms with you personally. My condolences go out to his family and friends"