THE FUNERAL of a Bramhope man who co-founded a national debt charity will be held this week.

Victor Ware OBE, who died suddenly in Barcelona in October, aged 73, was an influential figure in both the financial services and charity sectors.

A former Chief Operating Officer at GE Capital, he was awarded an OBE in 1995 for services to the financial industry.

Two years earlier he had, with Malcolm Hurlston, founded the charity StepChange - originally the Consumer Credit Counselling Service - as a Leeds-based pilot scheme.

A funeral service for Mr Ware will be held at the Holy Name Of Jesus Church, near Lawnswood, at 10.30am on Thursday, November 16.

Among those attending will be friend and former Leeds North West MP Greg Mulholland, who paid tribute to 'a huge character'.

He said: "Vic was a well known figure not only in Bramhope and Leeds but also nationally with his leading work in financial services, and also his charity work.

"He showed that you can be hugely successful in business yet also contribute hugely to assisting those in need and co-founding StepChange, the national debt charity, is a huge legacy.

"I am very pleased that as his MP for 12 years I got to know Vic and worked with him on several issues, local and national.

"He was a huge character, something of an eccentric with a wicked sense of humour but he was always down to earth and welcoming to his friends.

"He will be missed by many people locally and nationally but most of all, of course by his wife Carol, son Dominic, daughter Fiona and the whole family - and condolences, thoughts and prayers are with them.

"At this sad time I am sure that it gives them great comfort to know how much good he did with StepChange and other work and they are right to be hugely proud of Vic and all he achieved in his life."

The family have asked for no flowers at the service but donations can be made afterwards to Epilepsy Research UK.