Son pays emotional tribute to legendary Leeds ice cream man John 'Kooler Bar' who has died

John Collier was one of the most popular people in Leeds with thousands of residents taking to social media to pay their respects after it was announced he had died aged 76 following a long battle against the lung condition pulmonary fibrosis.

John served ice creams to the people of Leeds for more than 40 years and was part of the childhoods of many residents from the 1970s until his retirement.

He mainly drove around the Harehills, Chapeltown and Scott Hall areas but also used to serve ice creams at weddings, parties and for companies.

Thousands of emotional messages have been sent to his family - with some saying he was one of the kindest men they had ever met, often giving out ice creams for free to children.

Jon-Paul Collier, 38, said his dad was his "best friend".

He told the Yorkshire Evening Post how he had seen grown men "cry in the street" this week after the news that he had passed away.

Fighting back tears, Jon-Paul said: "He was my best mate.

"We did so much together and he did everything for his children.

"He was an ice cream man for more than 40 years and absolutely everyone knew him.

"I don't think I have any tears left now."

Jon-Paul said his dad was "not about making money" and he always prided himself on making his ice creams affordable for the communities he served.

He said his dad lived a "rollercoaster" of a life but always had a smile on his face.

Jon-Paul said: "His life was not easy.

"He maintained a smile on his face throughout.

"His customers were not just that, they were also his friends."