Defend Council Housing is mourning the death of chair Alan Walter at the age of 51.

Mr Walter died suddenly from a suspected heart attack at his home on Saturday.

A council tenant in Camden, Mr Walter was involved in the launch of the Defend Council Housing campaign in 1997.

In a statement issued today, Defend Council Housing, said: "It has been a collective effort of many, and Alan played down his individual selfless efforts, but he inspired and led in a way that contributed the binding glue of this collective.

"We’ve come a long way: from 2000 when pundits predicted the ‘End of Council Housing’ to the Prime Minister’s latest commitment to build council housing. Now all we want is the hard cash to back up those ‘warm words’.

"Alan leaves a family and many friends who will miss him deeply. To send messages of support and condolence to the campaign and to his family email info@defendcouncilhousing.org.uk

"Defend Council Housing will be holding a national meeting to work out how to proceed.

"Meanwhile, the way to show your respects is to help us stop privatisation and win direct investment – starting with the action points below."

Mr Walter was a familiar figure at trade union and other conferences, chairing fringe meetings and campaigning hard to promote council housing.

Paul Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said: "Alan ran the campaign with distinction and spoke for GMB members. We are shocked and saddened at this news."

CIH Chief Executive Sarah Webb, said: "After the recent sad losses of Bob Lawrence and one of our former CIH Presidents, Brian Griffiths, it is again extremely sad to lose another of the sector's characters and most active campaigners.

"Whilst CIH has not always agreed with all of Alan's approaches to housing policy, we certainly admired his commitment to housing and tenants. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time."