A RETIRED priest - known for his straight talking - has died at the age of 88.

Roman Catholic Father Charles Toner, from Redcar, was a dedicated priest who was conscientious about his ministry, including his delivery of sermons.

He served as a priest at Middlesbrough, where he was also made a dean, and at Ugthorpe, Thirsk and Egton Bridge, North Yorkshire.

A straight talker, he was visited recently by the Right Reverend John Crowley, the Bishop of Middlesbrough at Nazareth House, Middlesbrough, where he died.

The bishop thanked Fr Toner for his faithful service, adding that people at Thirsk still asked about him, to which the priest replied: "I hope that is true."

His body will be received into St Joseph's Church, Middlesbrough, tonight, with his funeral tomorrow, followed by burial at Ugthorpe