THE haunting tones of a huntsman's horn will bid farewell to a man who devoted his life to the countryside and had a passion for hunting with hounds.

Huntsmen and women from all over the region are expected to converge on the parish church at Wolsingham, County Durham, on Wednesday for the funeral of George Emerson.

Mr Emerson, 80, died in a road accident at Witton-le-Wear last Tuesday. He leaves three daughters, Susan, Mary and Jane. His wife, Patricia, died in 1994.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned into his death. Another women motorist and her passenger were injured in the accident.

Mr Emerson was born in Wolsingham and spent most of his working life as a quarryman at the Blue Circle cement plant, in Eastgate.

He only left Weardale to serve with the 49th Tank Regiment, later to become the 11th Hussars, or "Cherry Pickers", for two years during the Second World War.

But the love of his life, apart from the deep affection he had for his family, was all aspects of the countryside, particularly hunting with beagles.

It was a passion he inherited from his father, Thomas, and one which is shared by his daughter, Mary.

Simon Beckett, joint master of the Weardale and Tees Valley Beagles, said: "George maintained a love of the countryside and hunting in Weardale throughout his life. He followed his father's lead, who was a major player in the hunt during the two world wars with George whipping in as a young lad.

"He will be specially remembered for the numerous photographs, hunting reports of meets and other hunting memorabilia he amassed, mainly in the 1970s.

"George had been our vice-president for the past ten years.

"He was well-known in the dale and loved the countryside in all its seasons. He was often to be seen exercising his dogs in all weathers on the fells."

Mr Emerson's daughter, Mary, said it was entirely appropriate that the huntsman's horn should be played at her father's funeral.

"Apart from being a gentleman of the countryside, his passion for everything to do with hunting with dogs was infectious," she said.

"One of the proudest moments of his life was when a beagle called Morley, the sister of his own dog, Max, was voted best beagle in the North of England."

Max is at present being cared for at the Weardale Beagles kennels.

Right up to his death, Mr Emerson was actively involved in the campaign to lift the Government ban on hunting with dogs.

"That will be his lasting legacy," said Mary.

Mr Emerson's funeral service takes place at Wolsingham Parish Church on Wednesday, at 1.30pm. It will be followed by cremation at Durham.