Warm tributes have been paid to one of Otley’s best-known auctioneers.

Ben Atkinson, who worked at Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart for nearly 50 years, died on Monday following a short illness, aged 72.

Well-known and admired throughout the farming community, he was also – while not a resident – an active member of the town, constantly agreeing to oversee charity auctions and give talks.

Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart’s company secretary, Ruth Priestley, said: “Ben Atkinson was a very special man, a great man.

“I worked with him ever since I left school 32 years ago and he showed me the ropes and introduced me to the auction mart. I’ve been very proud to work with him over so many years.

“He’ll be missed by many, many people – everybody knows him, if you mentioned his name across the North of England you’d most likely find someone who knew him.

“He was really dedicated to the auction mart. It was his life, along with his family. He semi-retired when he was 60, but he never gave up on it and was still auctioneering here on Friday, May 27.

“Nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he was forever giving talks and doing charity events.

“I’m absolutely sure that his memorial service next week will be the biggest one I will ever attend.”

Otley Town Mayor Councillor Nigel Francis said: “Ben was one of the pillars of Otley and has helped me immensely with projects for the Hang On To A Dream charity and the Vintage Transport Extravaganza.

“He has also helped out for many years with a number of other things and his death is a very sad loss for the town.”

Mr Atkinson ran a farm at Addingham Moorside for many years, but more recently had been living in Harrogate.

A memorial service for him, entitled A Celebration of Ben’s Life, will be given at Otley All Saints Parish Church at 2pm on Wednesday, August 10, following a private funeral service at Harrogate.