Rob Burrow: Prince William and Kevin Sinfield lead tributes to Leeds ...

The chief executive of Leeds Hospitals Charity Esther Wakeman said: "We are heartbroken to hear that our patron, Rob Burrow, has sadly died.

"Rob was an inspiration, not only to the people of Yorkshire, but the entire nation, and across the world."

Leeds Hospitals Charity said Burrow "bravely shared his personal story with us all" and "showed us how to live life to the fullest in the face of adversity".

It added that £5.8m had been raised to build a specialist centre for people living with MND and their families "thanks to Rob's dedication and support".

Ms Wakeman said the centre would be a place people would "look to and know it was part of Rob Burrow's life, that he wanted the centre"

She added: "Today the plan is to put a spade in the ground, to start building the centre.

"We still have £1m to raise, but we are confident that the community will continue to get behind this.

"This is something which will stand there for many years supporting patients and their families and that's what Rob wanted."