TRIBUTES have been paid to a clergyman and aviation enthusiast who has died aged 84.

The Reverend Leonard Rivett suffered a heart attack while walking near Harrogate on Tuesday.

He was a founding member of the Yorkshire Air Museum and Allied Air Forces Memorial, at Elvington, near York and co-author of a book about Yorkshire's aviation pioneer, Sir George Cayley.

Mr Rivett was born on March 19, 1923, near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and volunteered to join the RAF on May 12, 1941.

He trained as an observer and navigator in Eastbourne, east Sussex, and then in South Africa.

On his return to the UK from South Africa, he survived the torpedoing of the Duchess of Atholl.

Mr Rivett flew to North Africa on May 23, 1943, where he joined No 13 Squadron, flying patrols against U-boats and escorting convoys in preparation for the invasion of Sicily and Italy.

The squadron moved to Egypt in December 1944, and Italy in March 1945. Following the end of the Second World War and his release from the RAF, he began clerical training at St John's College, Durham.

He moved to York in 1957, later serving as the vicar of Norton and Malton for 12 years.

He also became warden of Wydale Hall, York Diocesan Conference House, from 1974 to 1983, and was rector of Elvington until he retired in 1988.

Following his retirement, he became a founding member and honorary chaplain of Yorkshire Air Museum.

John Edmonds, the chairman of trustees, said one of Mr Rivett's proudest moments was the unveiling at the museum of the first replica of a glider flown by Sir George Cayley.

Museum director Ian Reed said: "I shall miss his energy and vision and his contribution to some of the great occasions in the museum's development."

Rachel Semlyen, the founding chairwoman of the museum, said: "It is hard to think he will no longer be a cheery presence at every function, and we shall miss him.

"A man of many and varied talents, he was responsible for initiating the revived interest in Yorkshire's own aeronautics pioneer, Sir George Cayley."

Mr Rivett is survived by his wife, Jean, younger brother, Eric, older sister, Phyllis, three sons and five grandsons.

His funeral will take place at York Minster, where he served as an honorary chaplain for 50 years, at 11am on Thursday.