A family doctor and leading community figure has died at the age of 75.

Dr David Williamson, of Kirkbymoorside, died in hospital.

He had lived in the town for 45 years and practised there until his retirement 12 years ago.

Born in Edinburgh, Dr Williamson spent his childhood in Penrith, where his father was a family doctor.

He had many interests in the Kirkbymoorside area, including the parish church of All Saints, where he was a member of the church council and of the Ryedale Deanery Synod, and served for many years on the town council.

He was deputy mayor last year.

A long-serving school governor, he was a past chairman of both Ryedale School and Kirkbymoorside County Primary School.

One of his keenest interests was the town's Sportsfield and Recreation Ground Association, of which he was chairman.

His wife, Elizabeth, is a retired medical practitioner. She said: "He worked tirelessly for the association, especially for the recent building scheme."

She has asked that donations in his memory should be made to the association's building fund.

Dr Williamson also served as a magistrate on the Ryedale bench, retiring in 1980.

He also leaves four children, Katriona who is a doctor in New Zealand, Hugh who is serving with the Royal Army Medical Corps, Fiona, a medical secretary in York, and Alistair, a consultant anaesthetist.

The funeral will be at All Saints Church, on Monday, at 2pm.