Homage paid to Hanson

Hanson, deputy MD of Wolfstar, died on 2 March aged 36, following a long battle with depression.

Former Labour deputy leader John Prescott was among a host of former PR and political colleagues and friends paying tribute since the tragic news.

Hanson joined Wolfstar in 2009, having previously worked as a consultant at Staniforth. He also spent eight years at Lansons in two spells from 1996-99 and 2002-07, becoming associate director.

He was a well-known figure in the Labour Party, having worked closely with senior party figures in the run-up to the 2010 general election.

Writing on his Twitter feed, Prescott said: 'So sad to hear about Mark Hanson's death.

A great campaigner who inspired me and many others. Thank you comrade.'

Tony Langham, Lansons chief executive, said: 'Mark was a working class lad who did bloody well for himself.

He was a great media operator, who reinvented himself as a digital and social media guru. He was also a pretty good radio DJ and journalist.'

Derek Draper, a former political party adviser and lobbyist, commented: 'Mark was always a pleasure to see and you invariably left him having learned something.

'He was certainly part of the Labour tribe, but he never, unlike some of us, exhibited the worst traits of tribalism.'

Wolfstar MD Stuart Bruce said: 'Mark was one of the PR profession's true innovators, whose generosity of spirit won the respect of all who knew him. He was a true pioneer who not only practised modernised media relations for Wolfstar Consultancy, but made a significant contribution to how the Labour Party communicated online.'

Bruce and Langham are working with friends and colleagues of Hanson to plan a series of initiatives to honour his life. A Just Giving page in aid of mental health charity Mind has been set up in his memory.

Mark leaves a wife, Clare.