A "KIND and gentle" Grassington man died after being knocked down outside Linton Church following a Christmas carol service on Sunday.

Robert Skipworth, 90, of Wharfe View, Grassington, was leaving the church with the rest of the congregation when he was struck by a car manoeuvring out of the car park.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the accident happened at about 7.40pm on Sunday.

It is understood that an automatic Rover 25 car was trying to get out of the car park when it clipped another vehicle. It then shot forward, hitting Mr Skipworth before careering into another parked car.

Mr Skipworth, who was married to Kath and had two children Jean and Michael, was taken to Airedale General Hospital at Steeton where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Peter Walbank, Craven District Councillor for the area, said he was a kind and gentle man who was well known in the village.

"He was always a pleasure to talk to, and it was tragic that this happened," he said.

During his working life, Mr Skipworth had been a surveyor for the Stock Exchange in London and eventually became a freeman of the city.

Following his retirement he moved to Grassington where he began work for the Grassington Festival.

He was a former president of the Upper Wharfedale Field Society and for many years organised coaches from the village to the opera.

Field Society member Tom Chalmers told the Herald: "It is a loss to the village because he was a grand fellow."

Friend Colonel John Wright also paid tribute, saying Mr Skipworth loved meeting people and was a gentle, quiet, unassuming but persuasive man.

"If he made up his mind to do something, it would get done, and in his way. He was a great organiser."

He added that Mr Skipworth had enjoyed walking holidays with friends and before the war had climbed one of the highest peaks in Switzerland.

"He was always energetic and busy," said Mr Wright.

Bunty Leder, organiser of the Grassington Festival, said Mr Skipworth had been the festival's artistic director from 1984 to 1987. He was eventually made vice president.

"He was a lovely man, very charming. He came enthusiastically to the festival with his wife every year. He took a great interest."

Friend Ken Marsden said: "He was well respected and loved around the district."

The driver of the Rover, 81-year-old Ernest Readman, of Sheffield, was uninjured but badly shaken.

He was staying with friends in the area and was a regular worshipper at Linton Church when he was staying in the Dales.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident and anyone with information is asked to contact Traffic Constable Mark Tiffany at Skipton Police Station on 01756 793377.