A LEADING legal figure in North Yorkshire has left £20,000 to two groups in his will.

Stephen Harland, founder of Harland & Co solicitors in York, died in August aged 90.

He left £10,000 to the Merchant Adventurers of the City of York and £10,000 to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Merchant Adventurer's clerk, James Finlay, said: "This is a most tremendous legacy from an extremely generous man who was closely connected with the Merchant Adventurers."

Mr Harland, of Shipton Road, Clifton, joined the Merchant Adventurers in 1948 and was honorary clerk and a governor. He helped the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust acquire a reserve in Scarborough, named Harland's Bank.