A Haworth pub licensee who regarded his job as “a way of life” has died aged 76.

Terry Barnes died in Airedale Hospital on March 1. He had been landlord of the Kings Arms from 1976 to 1991, working with his wife Elsie. Elsie died in 1996.

Enid Thornton, who was later Mr Barnes’ partner, said: “He was a gentleman, a lot of people really respected him.”

His son, Peter, said: “He was a very intelligent person – he could talk for hours about anything. He had a keen interest in railways and rugby league.

“He liked to stay active. Even when he had breathing problems in later life he’d still go out walking.”

Mr Barnes was born in Queensbury and initially worked as a motor mechanic. He met Elsie in 1960 and they were married in Halifax in 1962. They had one child – Peter.

The couple took on the Fleece pub, in Greetland, in 1964, before moving to Haworth in 1976 to manage the Kings Arms.