THE harness racing community in the North-East is mourning the loss of one of its greatest characters and supporters.

Brian Smyth, who died last week, aged 54, after a battle with cancer, was chairman of the North East Standardbred Club, affiliated to the British Harness Racing Club (BHRC), for several years.

He campaigned to raise the sport's popularity and establish a permanent hard track in the region, a campaign which continues today.

Originally from Ireland, Mr Smyth settled in Trimdon Station, County Durham, with his wife, Lynn, and children Tara, Brian and Donna.

Richard Wigham, former secretary of the club, said: "He fought for a lot of people and he believed in what the BHRC was doing.

"He wanted everybody in the BHRC - the council members, committee members, licence holders, trainers and drivers - to pull together in one united front to get members of the public to watch harness racing and realise it's something to be proud of."

He added: "Most of the people in North-East in harness racing will say they've lost a friend in Brian Smyth."

The funeral is at 11am today, at St William's RC Church, Trimdon Village.