ALDERMAN Tom Young, one of Scarborough's best known personalities, has died at the age of 87.

A former Mayor of Scarborough, he was a member of the former Scarborough Rural District Council before joining the borough authority when it was established in 1974.

The son of a farmer, he was brought up at Bilbrough, near York. During the Second World War he served with the Royal Tank Regiment and the Royal Armoured Corps and was an instructor in the Far East.

His local government career started in 1961 and he served for 30 years on Seamer Parish Council, eventually being made a freeman of the village.

Alderman Young was an independent member of Scarborough Borough Council. He was president of the Yorkshire Local Councils Association and an executive member of the Yorkshire Rural Community Council.

He worked for Customs and Excise for 40 years and was a member of the Muston and Yedingham Drainage Board and of the North Yorkshire Valuation Panel.

A widower, he leaves two daughters and an adopted daughter.