THE funeral has taken place of a North-East-born accountant who became a senior British Steel official before moving into diplomatic postings overseas.

Oliver Draffan died aged 85 at the family home in Scarborough.

Mr Draffan, who leaves a widow, Lorina, was from a family of eight children, from the Blackhill area of Consett.

Several members of the Draffan family worked at the Consett Iron Company, latterly Consett Steelworks.

Mr Draffan, educated at Consett Grammar School and a member of St Aidan's Church choir, worked in the iron company accounts department. But at the age of 21 he was transferred to British Steel head office accounts department, in London. He worked his way up to the post of personnel director.

At the age of 57, Mr Draffan was seconded to the Foreign Office, spending three years in Luxembourg representing British Steel prior to Britain's entry into the Common Market, now the EU, in 1975.

He then became a member of the British Executive Services Overseas. In retirement he worked for Help the Aged.

His funeral was held at St Michael's Church, Scarborough, last Friday.