ONE of the best-known fishing boat skippers on the North-East coast has died at the age of 81.

Jim Leadley was chairman and later president of the National Federation of Fishermen's Organisations and the Anglo-Scottish Fish Producers Organisation.

He went to sea at 16 with his father and, in 1940, joined the Royal Navy, rising to become a chief petty officer.

In 1983, Mr Leadley, who lived on Whitby's West Cliff, was awarded the MBE for his services to the fishing industry.

A widower, he leaves a son and daughter, Jim and Carol.