TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular publican who has died aged 57.

Chris Flint ran the Bay Horse in Heighington, near Darlington, with his wife Sue and was popular with regulars who described him as a friend to all and an integral part of the community.

He had been recovering well from a heart attack earlier in the year, but suffered a stroke on November 18 and died at James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough the following day.

His daughter, Sarah Holdsworth, said the family has been touched by the sympathy and support shown by the Heighington community.

She said: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of cards and tributes we have received at the pub.

“A lot of people are saying that he was a true gentleman who had a great big smile; that is the theme that seems to flow through.

“To the greater community that is what they liked and respected about him; he wasn’t just a landlord at the pub, he was their friend.”

Originally from Hartlepool, Mr Flint and his family moved to South Yorkshire in the early 1980s and he spent the majority of his career working in the earthmoving tyre industry.

After taking a year out in his early 50s he decided to embark on a whole new career as a licensee and the Bay Horse was his first pub.

He and his wife moved in almost three years ago and rejuvenated the venue after it had stood empty for several months.

The Flints built up a good reputation for the Bay Horse and Mrs Holdsworth, who still lives in South Yorkshire, along with her brother Chris, said that coming to Darlington over the time of their father’s death had made them realise how highly regarded he was in the community.

She said: “We have obviously visited the pub quite a lot, but we have never spent time with the regulars until now and they have overwhelmed us in telling us what a part of the community he had become.

“Obviously, we knew they were getting on really well here, but we didn’t realise the kind of impact that they had; the word is overwhelmed.”

As well as his wife and two children, Mr Flint leaves behind four grandchildren.

Hi funeral is taking place at St Michael’s Church, Heighington and the family have asked that the date is not published.

The pub continues to open as normal.