BARRY Cockcroft, the man behind the touching film of Yorkshire Dales farmer Hannah Hauxwell, has died aged 68.

Film-maker Mr Cockcroft, who lived in Cornwall, spent 20 years with Yorkshire Television recording the lives of ordinary folk from the county. His most acclaimed work, Too Long A Winter, brought Hannah Hauxwell and her solitary existence to the public consciousness.

She was a farmer in Teesdale, who continued to stick to the traditional methods of harvesting, despite a growing automation in the countryside.

Mr Cockcroft joined YTV at its launch in 1968, having worked with Granada. He also worked with travel writer Alan Wicker. But it was his work documenting life on the Yorkshire Coast and the wilds of the Dales that he became best known for.

Last night, Hannah said: "He was a very good man in every sense and I wish there were more like him."

YTV is to screen a tribute programme to Mr Cockcroft, featuring Hannah Hauxwell, on Thursday. His funeral is at St Ives , Cornwall, today