TRIBUTES have been paid to a former bank worker who was heavily involved in the community.

Brian White, from Darlington, was described as “intensely private” but as someone who was involved in many community activities in the town.

He died on January 10, aged 79.

Mr White, who had a long career at Barclays Bank, was a committee member of Darlington Lecture Association for many years.

He was at the helm for 14 years, starting his tenure in the 1990s, when a high point in its 137-year history was reached. He was secretary and treasurer when membership reached 600 with a waiting list.

At the January lecture president Robert Jones, paying tribute to Mr White, said: “He was an intensely private and modest man whose dedication greatly benefited the association. In recognition, he and his wife Carole, who helped him, were awarded life membership.”

Mr White, who was a father and grandfather, was also heavily involved at Elm Ridge Methodist Church, near his home, where few initiatives of events happened without his help.

He enjoyed singing with the Sans Pareil group at Hurworth.

Monday nights were for chess at the town club and he played in league matches all over the North-East while every Tuesday he would choose from his file of country walks described in The Northern Echo and strike out for moor or dale.

As a qualified football referee he officiated at hundreds of local league matches.

A Middlesbrough fan since seeing his first Ayresome Park match aged eight, he rarely missed a home game.

The 2019/20 season ticket was bought but was unused.

Mr White’s health deteriorated in May while on holiday in the Scilly Isles, a special place for him and Carole.

Their daughters, Catherine and Susan, who live in London and near St Andrews, Fife, respectively; were at home when he died in his sleep on January 10.

The family said: "We are very proud of the contribution dad made to the local community during his lifetime. Dad was intensely proud of his four grandchildren each of whom will hold precious memories of the time spent with him for the rest of their lives."

He began a long career at Barclays Bank with three years at Saltburn where, newly wed, they lived above the bank.

After three years in Durham city, the family moved in 1968 to Darlington where the High Row branch was his main base until his retirement.

His funeral is due to take place at Elm Ridge today, at 12.45pm.