ONE OF Keighley’s best-known foundry men has died aged 93.

Thomas Swain rose from teenage apprentice at a Keighley company to become one of the town’s finest moulders then manager of three Yorkshire foundries.

Mr Swain, known as Tommy or Tom, was born in Hemsworth, South Yorkshire, and at the age of 14 was sent to Keighley by his father to work in a woollen mill, so he did not have to follow his brothers down the pits.

Two years later Mr Swain became an apprentice at the iron foundry of Ward Haggis Smith, living first in Ingrow then moving with his wife to East Morton and later Silsden.

He became manager of well-known Keighley firm Prince Smith and Stells, then Heaton and Flints in Cross Hills.

In the 1960s he managed foundries in Mirfield, Clayton West and Ferrybridge, living near Wakefield with wife Norma, a registered nurse.

After his wife died Mr Swain returned to live in Cross Hills and found it hard to retire, so returned to moulding at David Denby’s foundry in Keighley well into his 80s, teaching young apprentices.

He is survived by his children Pat, Kevin and Ken and six grandchildren.

A celebration of his life will be held at St Mark’s Church, Utley, on January 22. Everyone is welcome, and donations in lieu of flowers are invited for Prostate Cancer UK.