TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired North-East farmer who would always help a friend or a stranger in need.

Ralph Morton Gibson, of Roker, Sunderland, died aged 80, on Saturday, after heart and kidney failure.

Mr Gibson lived at North Farm, Summerhouse, near Darlington, and moved to Sunderland after retiring in 1991.

He had lived on the Raby estates farm all his life, which had previously been tenanted by his father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

The farm was initially a mixture of arable crops and a dairy herd, but in later years, Mr Gibson sold the Friesan herd and the farm became mainly arable.

Mr Gibson's widow, Sybil, said her husband loved farming.

During the war he was a keen member of agricultural discussion groups, although many of these have since disbanded.

Mrs Gibson said: "He was a lovely man. Nobody could have wished for a better husband.

"If one of the neighbours needed help he would be there every time, or if someone got stuck or in trouble he would be out in his tractor.

"He was very generous in spirit."

Mr Gibson was also a keen sailor and kept a boat at Sunderland for many years, and the couple, who have no children, often used to spend their weekends there.

Mr Gibson's funeral takes place at All Saints' Church, Fulwell Road, Sunderland, on Monday, at 2.45pm.