Glowing tributes have been paid to a popular Whitehaven man who has died in the United States.

Steve Gibbons – a former Copeland mayoral candidate, Labour activist and trade union official – died on Friday having suffered a heart attack two weeks earlier during trip to Las Vegas.

Copeland MP Jamie Reed has led the tributes to father-of-two Mr Gibbons, 47, whose loss, he says, is "impossible to comprehend".

Mr Reed said: "I was privileged to campaign alongside Steve during the 2015 elections. He was selfless, brave, generous and warm. To walk into ‘hostile’ political territory with Steve was to make a friend.

"After introducing himself, then me, he’d thaw the heart of the sternest critic. Talking common sense. Talking like the West Cumbrian he was from the top of his head to the tip of his toes; “I need your help to make it better” he would say…

"He always left with the promise of support. Had the campaign lasted a little longer, he’d have won on the first ballot by a big margin. As it was, he won the first round handsomely and missed out on second preferences. That’s political life, but Steve was never defined by politics.

"Steve was a trade union man. When these men and women are good, they are amongst the best of us. Never seeking a fight. Never ducking one that came his way. Always looking out for the people he represented. Always looking to make life better for everyone: that was Steve.

"That’s what motivated him and he was driven by it. To some, these notions are quaint. To Steve, these were notions to live by, and live by them he did. Steve stood to be Mayor, in his own words, “for what I can give, not for what I can get.”

"They are words to live by. That is Steve Gibbons’ political epitaph. Nobody who understands or cares about our community will ever forget Steve – but I won’t remember him knocking on doors, sat in dusty town halls, doing the arduous unpaid work that political activists do when most people are out enjoying themselves.

"I’ll remember Steve on those wet and windswept winter weekend mornings, on the touchline as his boys played football. Happy, proud and filled with love. For me, that’s what defined Steve Gibbons: the best father and partner anyone could ever hope for.

"The best local leader we never had. Thanks for everything, Steve."

A former Sellafield process worker, Mr Gibbons became a well-respected union official, previously with the GMB and latterly with Unite. Tributes have flooded in from the Sellafield trade unions.

Mr Gibbons' close friend and long-time Unite colleague, Craig Dobson, said: "Steve was an exemplary trade union official who helped protect and improve the working lives of many thousands of union members across the North of England; for that we owe him a debt of gratitude.

"Steve was also a very dear and special personal friend of mine whom will be quite simply irreplaceable. All our efforts are now concentrated on helping his family through this devastating time."

From the GMB union, Joe Murdock said: "Steve was a trusted colleague and friend. We worked together for many years and his principles were impeccable.

"A family man, he was articulate, deliberate and diligent, always putting other people first. He was respected by all, whether dealing with management or both sides of the political debate. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him."

And Peter Clements, from Prospect, said: "We are all devastated by the news. We have all known Steve for many years, as a friend and a colleague, and he'll be sorely missed."

A spokesman for Sellafield Ltd added: “Steve was a highly respected figure at Sellafield who will be sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues. As a union official, Steve made a hugely valuable contribution towards maintaining good industrial relations on the site."

Mr Gibbons, who sat on Copeland Council from 1995 to 1999, was runner-up to Mike Starkie in the race to become Copeland's first elected mayor in 2015.

Mr Starkie said: "I am very sorry to hear of the untimely passing of Steve. Steve should have had many years to look forward to. I always found Steve to be professional in his approach and he always worked for the best interests of those he represented."

On behalf of the Copeland Labour Group, leader Lena Hogg added: "Steve was a strong Labour supporter who worked tirelessly to protect the rights of those in work, as well as working to ensure that everyone received a wage that ensured they did not need 'top-up' benefits to keep their families.

"Steve was a strong advocate of 'Local Jobs for Local Workers' and was also a strong supporter of reducing the amount of deprivation that exists in some areas of the borough. Steve will be sadly missed by all who met him."

All expressed their condolences to Mr Gibbons' family; partner Jess and two sons. No funeral details have yet been announced.