A MAN who spent years helping to improve life for disabled people has died.

Arthur Ledgard, MBE, was a former engineer who had a massive say in helping design cars and other vehicles for disabled people.

He worked with groups such as the RAC to ensure disabled people got the chance to be mobile.

Mr Ledgard, 85, who was brought up in Mirfield, was honoured by the Queen in 1996 for his work.

He received the MBE for his services for disabled motorists.

After leaving school Mr Ledgard did his National Service in the Army and served as a clerk in India.

He had problems with his heart all his life and, indeed, was one of the first to have a pacemaker fitted more than 40 years ago.

But despite his health he was able to forge a successful career as an engineer working at Heaton Valves, in Brighouse, and later at T W Broadbents in Huddersfield.

He retired early because of ill health but decided to divert his energies to helping disabled people. He had met a disabled man and worked with him on a prototype for a car that could be driven by disabled.

It came at a time when the only vehicles available to disabled people were the single-seat invalid carriages and many people wanted to be out and about with their families.

Over the years, Mr Ledgard worked with groups for the disabled on various projects to get them on the road.

He served with the Disabled Drivers’ Motor Club, serving on both local and national committees, and also worked with DIAL and the Disablement Income Group.

He then linked up with the RAC and helped set up RAC Response, a specially-designed package for disabled drivers who break down on the roads.

He went on to become a national adviser to the motoring group on the needs of disabled people.

Mr Ledgard was married to Margaret for 61 years and the couple had four children – Denise, Jeanette, Caroline and Richard.

He also leaves nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Mr Ledgard’s funeral takes place tomorrow, May 23, at 2.15pm at Parkwood Crematorium, Elland.