Donald Moorby, the man who ran Skipton pub The Royal Shepherd for more than 30 years has died at the age of 72.

Mr Moorby converted it from a tiny back street pub to one of the best loved in Skipton - but he was far more than a publican.

Mr Moorby was fascinated by local history and was a keen Yorkshire County Cricket Club supporter and these two passions are still evident in the pub in the many pictures he collected and displayed on the pub walls.

Known by his customers as "the man who knew everything" Mr Moorby had a whole stack of reference books and was always willing to fish one out to find answers to any subject of debate that began in the pub.

He was born in Procter's Row, Settle, in 1929, and grew up with three brothers and a sister. He won a scholarship to be educated at Giggleswick School.

Mr Moorby's first job was as a railway clerk at Settle Station and on leaving there he joined the Merchant Navy.

In 1949 he joined the RAF Police and during his service spent time as a sergeant in Cyprus when the Greeks were campaigning for independence. Mr Moorby was in charge of a small village police station and arrested one of the leading terrorists. Despite the threat of ambush and bombs Mr Moorby led him to the authorities.

He later joined the old West Riding police service as a PC and was stationed in Settle and Skipton.

The force tried to promote him five times but it would have meant him leaving his adopted home town of Skipton and he declined.

It was then that he made the decision to become licensee of the Royal Shepherd.

Mr Moorby spent many happy years supporting Yorkshire County Cricket Club. He was also president of the Craven Club and a secretary of the old Skipton and district Licence Victuallers.

Mr Moorby was a loving family man married to Juanita for 35 years. He was father to sons Stuart and Donald (now deceased) and daughters Janice, Andrea and Caren.

The funeral will take place today (Friday) at 10.15am at Skipton's Parish Church.