A memorial plaque commemorating a former landlord at the Royal Shepherd in Skipton has been unveiled by the new licensees of the Canal Street pub.

John Roberts and Chloe Edwards, who took over at the Royal Shepherd last month, provided the engraved brass plaque in memory of Tony Hodgson, who ran the pub with his wife Helen from 1996 until his death in 2011.

It was unveiled on the exact day 16 years ago that the Hodgsons began their tenure at the Royal Shepherd by Helen and the couple’s three children, Kristian, Louise and Katie, joined by many family and friends.

The plaque takes its place in the bar alongside another commemorating the Hodgsons’ predecessors, Donald and Juanita Moorby. The two couples both became Skipton’s longest serving licensees during their respective times at the Royal Shepherd.

Family friend Robin Moule said at the unveiling ceremony: “Tony may be gone - and he is certainly very much missed, but this very apt tribute will ensure he will be long remembered.”