A thanksgiving service has been held for keen artist David Hoyle, who died last month aged 83.

The service, at Cowling Methodist Chapel, was conducted from the pulpit he built.

Mr Hoyle, who took up painting again at 60, had shown artistic promise at an early age. At 11 he won a scholarship to study art in Keighley and from there went on to Leeds College of Art.

His studies were halted by the Second World War and in 1942 he joined the Royal Navy.

On his demob he found a job with a joiner in Cowling and later started his own business.

He was a lifelong cricket fan and had been a player, trustee and president of Cowling Cricket Club. Mr Hoyle was also a member of the Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir, and a member of the Moonrakers history group.

His first marriage, to Dorothy, failed and both their sons, Richard and Stephen, died.

But he found joy with his second wife, Vera, and daughters Margaret, Susan and Janet, and later six grandchildren. Vera died in 2005 after 25 years together.

Following the service there was a sale of Mr Hoyle’s art, with the proceeds going to charities of his choice.