Skipton solicitor William Foster has died aged 79.

Mr Foster, who practised in Skipton, passed away on Christmas Day. He retired as a solicitor in 1990 and travelled extensively to Europe and the Far East.

Born at Newfield Grange, Airton, on September 16, 1923, the fourth of five children, he attended Gargrave Primary School and boarded at Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge. He joined the RAF in 1942 and was involved, principally in a meteorological capacity, in the D-Day operation, when he landed at Arromanches in Normandy.

After the war, Mr Foster, who was not demobilised until late 1946, was posted to India and took his law finals in Singapore. He passed with distinction.

On returning home, he qualified as a solicitor in January 1949. In 1951 Charlie Charlesworth, Brian Walker and William formed the partnership Walker Charlesworth and Foster. Its name was shortened 40 years later to Walker Foster.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Shirley, three sons - Robert, a solicitor in Skipton, John, a solicitor in Leeds, and Peter, chief executive of Royal Brunei Airlines - and seven grandchildren.