A FORMER Kirkby Lonsdale butcher who lived in the town for 43 years has died peacefully at home surrounded by family, aged 69.

John Butterworth was said to be "an oracle of general knowledge", and as well as being a successful businessman he was also a firefighter.

He was born at Long Preston in 1948, the third son of Harry and Evelyn (nee Thistlethwaite) Butterworth. He spent his childhood at Cononley, near Skipton, and was a proud Yorkshire man.

Mr Butterworth loved every day of his working life as a butcher and had also worked in the trade at Skipton and Long Preston.

Notably Mr Butterworth had won the Pools, ‘Spot the Ball’ and was interviewed on the BBC’s ‘Songs of Praise’ by Russell Harty in the 1980s.

A devoted family man, Mr Butterworth adored his wife, Susan, whom he was married to for more than 50 years. They had four children - Mark, Sally, Jill and Rob - and he had eight grandchildren.

His funeral service will take place at St Mary's Parish Church, Kirkby Lonsdale, on Friday (Dec 8) at 11.30am. It will be followed by a gathering at Kirkby Lonsdale Rugby Club from 1pm.