ONE of the last original members of a cabaret troupe which has raised thousands of pounds for charity has died at the age of 79.

Former truck driver John Eric Stoker, of Shotton Colliery, was the organist of the Sherburn Village Jolly Boys for more than 50 years.

Mr Stoker, who was better known as Eric, was one of the founding members of the charitable organisation and musical ensemble, which has raised around £250,000 for good causes since it was started on Armistice Day 1964.

He continued to play with the band until the final few years of his life when he was no longer able to do so.

Fellow founding member George Jopling, from Sherburn Village, says a memorial concert will be held in Mr Stoker’s memory in aid of St Mary’s Church.

Mr Stoker was born in Sherburn Village and worked as a driver for truck company Barnfather’s.

He was married to Sheila, who died last year, and had two sons Stephen and David and two grandchildren Stephen and Brandon.

He died on July 30 and a funeral was held at Durham Crematorium on Monday.

The Jolly Boys, which was set up to entertain people in the village and support good causes, still play regularly at Sherburn Club though just three original members remain.

Mr Jopling, who was friends with Mr Stoker for almost 60 years, recalls playing with him at the Cross Keys in Sherburn in the 1960s and the early days of the group.

He said: “I remember when we started there was a piano in the club but it was no good. The Throstles Nest at Shotton had a super one so we hired a wagon from Barnfather’s and 10 Jolly Boys went to pick it up.

“Eric played the organ in the back of the wagon all the way back to Sherburn.”

Further details of the memorial concert will be announced in due course.