A MAN with a passion for agriculture who continued his interest after his retirement has died aged 72.

Mike Walton, a former agronomist from Richmond, North Yorkshire, died unexpectedly after a short illness on holiday in New Zealand in February.

He and wife Elaine were visiting their daughter Helen, her husband Alastair and grandchildren Laura and Ben, when Mr Walton was admitted to hospital after a fall and it was found he had cancer.

His funeral was held in New Zealand in February, followed by a memorial service in St Mary’s Church, Richmond last Thursday (May 2), attended by family friends and members of the local farming community.

Mr Walton worked as a crop inspector at DKB Crop Protection, Walworth, near Darlington.

He was born in Corbridge, Northumberland, before moving to Malton, where his family took on a small-holding.

He married Elaine at St Peter’s Church, Norton, Malton in 1965, and the couple had daughters Helen, in 1968, who lives in New Zealand with her family, and Emma in 1972, who lives in Perth, Australia with husband Alex.

Mrs Walton said: “He took such pride in his work and treated everyone the same, whether it was a large commercial farm or a small."

His daughter Helen Murphy added: “He always had a smile on his face and we were fortunate and privileged to have had him in our lives."