WHITLEY councillor Jim Hanley has died suddenly aged 51.

Cllr Hanley collapsed at his Wood Road home in Caversham early this morning (Friday) and was rushed to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he died.

He was not known to have been unwell and is thought to have suffered a heart attack.

The Labour Party councillor, who was planning to step down at the next election after starting a new career as a social worker, has served on Reading Borough Council for twelve years and was known to be a keen badminton player.

Cllr Hanley leaves his partner, former Reading Labour Party chairwoman and borough councillor, Trish Thomas.

Labour councillor, Bet Tickner, who has served alongside Cllr Hanley for the past eight years, said: "He was such a nice guy, very helpful and very hardworking.

"He was well respected in Whitley, he served his ward very well and was known as an active councillor. We will all miss him. Everybody is in shock. He seemed a healthy, fit guy and had just started a new profession. It is totally unexpected."

A statement posted on the Labour Party's Whitley website said: "Jim was a hard working councillor and a good friend to many including the rest of the Whitley team. Our thoughts are with his family, especially Trish.

It added tomorrow's ward surgery will go ahead as planned at the Whitley Advice Shop, Northumberland Avenue, from 10.30am-noon.