Prolific letter writer Alan Carcas has passed away at the age of 81.

The retired Conservative Party agent was a dedicated letter writer for both local and national titles, including the Examiner.

Mr Carcas became known for his well-written analyses of current events, history, the law and whatever topic inspired him.

The Liversedge man was born in East Ham, London, and was brought up in a council flat with his sister and two brothers.

He kept in touch with some of the pupils he met at East Ham Grammar long after they had left, exchanging news and views online with other alumni.

His first job was at British Insulated Callender Cables, before leaving to work in British telecoms, then managed by the Post Office.

He surveyed areas to calculate how many phone lines would be needed to connect residents.

It was a stroke of luck that propelled him into his political career. Alan was part of the Post Office’s football pools syndicate – and the syndicate won. Alan received a share of £1,600, enough money to sit the Conservative Party agent exams.

As an agent, Alan headed political campaigns, looking after fundraising and canvassing. He organised MPs’ and candidates’ time in their constituencies. He was agent for Wilf Proudfoot when he became MP for Brighouse and Spenborough.

He also worked with Conservative councillors and was agent for MEP Will Hopper when he won the seat for Bolton area.

It was on the course to become a party agent that Alan met his wife, Joyce, and they were married in 1959, the same year he passed the exams. The couple moved to Liversedge in the 1960s.

He was a lifelong supporter of West Ham United and was lucky enough to see England win the World Cup at Wembley in 1966.

He took a keen interest in local schools, and was chairman of governors at Norristhorpe Junior and Infant School and was also the vice-chairman at Liversedge Secondary Modern School through the transition to Spen Valley High School.

In his retirement he began researching his family’s history. He was very proud to have been a part of re-uniting several branches of his family which had lost contact many years before.

He enjoyed music, particularly classical and jazz, nature, photography and watching the birds in his garden.

Alan passed away on August 29 in Dewsbury District Hospital.

He leaves wife Joyce, children Don, Peter and Carol, grandchildren Jamie, Saul and Eve and great-grandchildren Nora and Reuben.