HUNDREDS of people said their final farewells to one of Northallerton's best-known and best-loved personalities.

The town's official historian, Michael Riordan, who was known as Mick, finally lost a long battle against cancer last week, at the age of 69.

Northallerton's parish church of All Saints, where many years ago Mr Riordan had been head chorister, was packed for his funeral last Wednesday.

The service was taken by All Saints curate, the Rev Adam Reed, in place of the vicar, Canon Ian Fox, who was suffering from flu.

Mr Reed spoke of the genuine and profound interest Mr Riordan had always shown in other people throughout his long and varied career.

Catterick-born and the son of a soldier, he was the first child to be christened in the Green Howards regimental chapel, although he later joined the RAF and became its youngest squadron leader.

He was the first in his family to go to university and was a gifted sportsman, actor and singer.

After leaving the RAF he worked in a variety of education roles and also became a researcher into Northallerton's past.

Mr Riordan immersed himself in the history of the town, compiling notes, keeping records, writing books, giving talks and travelling extensively for source material.

In 1998 he was named as the town's Official Historian.

Mr Reed said: "He rejoiced in local history and could make it come alive with empathy and humour."

Last year he completed a book detailing the history of the town. The project took him 20 years and the book was acclaimed by both academics and laymen.

A month before his death Mr Riordan was made an honourary citizen of the town, only the seventh person to be given the honour.

Mr Riordan leaves a widow, Juliet, and four sons. He was buried with his daughter, who died of meningitis in 1961, aged three.