THE death of a popular dales farmer has stunned the North-East's agricultural community.

Mike Vickers, 52, of Greenwell, near Wolsingham, County Durham, had fought leukaemia and kidney disease for almost six years.

Because of the foot-and- mouth crisis, his wife, Linda, and daughters, Angie, Emma and Katie, held a private funeral at Durham Crematorium, on Wednesday, and are planning a memorial service at a later date.

They have been overwhelmed by hundreds of tributes arriving in the post from friends and colleagues.

Mrs Vickers said: "I don't think people outside the farming community realise how close we are. It was important to Mike to help people understand the countryside. It was a way of life he wanted to preserve.

"It is obvious from all the letters we have received that he will be greatly missed. We want people to know how much we appreciate all their tributes."

Despite his illness, Mr Vickers was chairman of Wolsingham Agricultural Society, and the Weardale branch of the National Farmers' Union (NFU).

He led training courses in North Yorkshire, Cumbria and the North-East, and guided walks around his farm, where holiday cottages attracted visitors from all over the country.

A keen sportsman since his schooldays at Bow, in Durham, and Scarborough College, he played hockey and cricket, and completed the Great North Run and Weardale Marathon.

NFU secretary Mick Hodgson said: "He stood for all that is best in the farming community. People will remember his smile, jokes and kindness."