TRIBUTES have been paid to a Bradford artist and former stonemason who loved to paint the Yorkshire landscape.

Ron Smith of Clayton, died last month aged 88, after suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and having a cardiac arrest.

Members of his family gathered yesterday at Scholemoor Cemetery for his funeral, and hope to celebrate his life with a memorial service in the village once restrictions on gatherings have eased.

Mr Smith became well known for his stonemasonary skills among tradesman, often called the "best pointer in Bradford".

But in later life it was his artwork that drew praise.

His daughter Patricia Turner told the Telegraph & Argus: "When he was at school he had a really good artistic flair and the school wanted him to go to art college, but his parents wanted him to work, so he did. He was born in the wrong era, I suppose.

"He became an apprentice stonemason age 14 at Harry Hudson's stoneyard in Clayton, and later worked at Thompsons in Great Horton and for the NHS in building maintenance.

"At one time he was quite well-known for his skills as the best pointer in Bradford among tradesman.

"But he always did have a talent for art. He didn't start painting seriously until he retired though. He had an eye for detail and liked to do woodland scenes and scenes of Yorkshire - sweeping hillsides, dramatic skies and wonderful scenery."

Mr Smith exhibited his work locally and ran art classes at Clayton St John's Art Group, raising money for the local church through the sale of his artwork.

In 2017 he held an exhibition of 90 sketches and paintings at Clayton Village Hall, telling the T&A at the time: “When you are painting, it is like medicine. I hope to be painting for a long time. I’ll probably go out with my brush in my hand.”

His family described him as "pleasure painter", saying that he didn't sell his work for profit, always giving the money to charity.

Mr Smith was born in West Bowling and grew up there before moving to Lidget Green where he met his wife.

He is survived by his wife Pat, children Patricia, Christopher and Neil, as well as five granddaughters and six great grandchildren.

"He had a lot of love to give and got a lot of love back," added Patricia. "His grandchildren all called him 'Poppy' and they absolutely adored him."

She added that the family had received a number of cards and floral tributes, even receiving a message from France from someone who Mr Smith had helped over the years.

"He was obviously a much loved person, was my dad," she said.