FARMER and gamekeeper Brian Bainbridge, who featured in the original television programme that made Hannah Hauxwell famous, has died aged 80.

He was filmed working in deep snow around his farm at Birkdale, in Upper Teesdale, County Durham, and commented that it was "too long a winter", which became the title of the show.

Mr Bainbridge ran the remote farm for many years with his wife, Mary, but for the past ten years, they lived in retirement within easier reach of amenities at Langdon Beck.

Miss Hauxwell, who is 79 and lives in Cotherstone, near Barnard Castle, said yesterday: "I am very sorry to hear of Mr Bainbridge's death, though I did not actually know him."

His daughter, Jackie Meeson, said yesterday: "He did not think much of that programme at all, even though he gave it the title. He wanted to forget it, because he did not think it gave the correct impression."

When the film was screened by ITV in January 1973, Miss Hauxwell was living on little more than £5 a week at Low Birk Hatt Farm, in Baldersdale, with no running water, electricity or gas. She was seen wearing ragged clothes as she worked with her handful of cattle.

But there was a staggering response, with many people sending letters and food parcels from all over the country. Other programmes and books followed.

Miss Hauxwell was invited to a Buckingham Palace garden party and to the Woman of the Year lunch. She appeared with Michael Aspel on This is Your Life and with Harry Secombe on Highway.

Mr Bainbridge, on the other hand, continued to live and work quietly out of the limelight.

His widow, Mary, said yesterday: "He always thought the TV programme was a bit of a farce. Neither he nor I ever met Miss Hauxwell. I thought she was rather exploited."

As a young man, Mr Bainbridge worked in a fluorspar mine at Keswick, Cumbria, before he served in the Army, mostly in Cyprus, for three years of National Service.

On his return home, he worked as a quarryman at the Cow Green reservoir before the family moved to Birkdale in 1952.

The couple's daughter and son-in-law, Alison and John Mitchell, now run the Birkdale farm.

He also leaves a son, Tommy, and another daughter, Sandra.

The funeral service will be at Forest-in-Teesdale Parish Church at 3pm tomorrow.

His daughter Jackie said: "He loved watching all sorts of sport on TV, so it is ironic that his funeral is taking place on cup final afternoon."

He was particularly proud at being elected the first president of Langdon Beck Sheep Show, which was revived six years ago after an absence of nearly 100 years.

His name remains on the trophy for the show's supreme champion, which is presented each year by Teesdale landowner Lord Barnard, who said: "His death is a very sad loss for the upper dale. He was a very nice man who I was pleased to count as a friend.

"The revival of the Langdon Beck show was an excellent effort. He proved that he was the right man for the job."