THE town is mourning the death of the one of the well-known stalwarts of the local Royal British Legion branch.

Jeffrey (Jeff) Hunter, 76, has died suddenly after a long illness. He was born in Wetherby, the youngest of three children. His father's job as head gardener at 'Tivoli', Middleton, brought the family to Ilkley in 1930.

Mr Hunter was educated at All Saints School in Leeds Road, then at Ilkley Grammar School, leaving at the age of 16.

He served an apprenticeship in the works at Spooner's before joining the army in 1944 to do his National Service in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

In 1947 he was back at Spooner's, this time joining the staff in the drawing office and stayed until being made redundant in 1983.

Mr Hunter then found another job at Suckling Fabrications in Keighley, later moving to Fairbank Brierleys, also in Keighley, working until he was 70-years-old.

Over the years Mr Hunter was involved in many associations including Ilkley Rugby Club, Ilkley Cricket Club, the Ilkley/Coutances Twinning Committee, and the 1st Ben Rhydding Scouts Parents' Committee.

Mr Hunter was president of the Airedale/Wharfedale Amateur Swimming Association, chairman of Ilkley Swimming Club in 1970 where he taught and coached children, as well as being responsible for the twinning between the club and Club Nautique Coutances.

He served on the committee of the Ilkley branch of the Royal British Legion for many years and took over as Poppy Appeal organiser around eight years ago.

Mr Hunter leaves a wife, Margaret, two sons, Graham and Andrew, daughters-in-law Lita and Julie, and four grandchildren, Joseph, Samuel, Thomas and Alisa.

There will be a service at All Saints Church, Ilkley, tomorrow at 2pm, followed by cremation at Skipton.