TRIBUTES were paid yesterday to a former senior judge on the North-East circuit who has died aged 90.

Judge Alistair Sharp served as resident judge at Durham for 22 years until his retirement in 1984.

He lived on in the city with his wife Daphne, who died last year.

Born the son of an Aberdeen advocate, he graduated in law from Cambridge and was called to the bar in London, in 1935.

After serving with the Gordon Highlanders and the London Scottish Regiment in the Second World War, he joined staff of the director of military operations in the War Office, for which he was awarded the MBE in 1945.

Back at the bar, he became Queen's Counsel in 1961 before moving to Durham as a county court judge the following year.

In 1970 he became the first full time chairman of Durham Quarter Sessions.

When the old sssizes and quarter sessions ended in 1972, in favour of crown courts, he became senior circuit judge sitting at Durham, as well as a liaison judge to magistrates' courts round the county.

Judge Sharp was made deputy lieutenant to County Durham in 1973.

Speaking prior to the start of proceedings at Durham Crown Court yesterday, Judge Tim Hewitt said: "Judge Sharp's approach was firm, brisk and no-nonsense. He was a distinguished judge, held in awe by some, but he will be remembered with respect by all."

Judge Sharp, who died on Friday, leaves two daughters and a son. Funeral arrangements will be announced later