TRIBUTES have poured in to a leading farming campaigner in York and North Yorkshire.

The funeral of Mike Blacker, aged 65, who fought the corner of sugar beet growers nationally and in the region at a crucial time in the sector's history, takes place at All Saints' Church, Newton-on-Ouse, near York next Thursday.

His death on Tuesday came after an illness lasting several months. He leaves a widow, Marion, and two sons, Clive and David.

Only last October, as a member of the National Farmers' Union's (NFU) sugar beet committee, he personally confronted Prime Minister Tony Blair over the effects on beet farmers of the announced closure of British Sugar in York.

Afterwards Mr Blacker, who farmed 800 hectares near Newton-on-Ouse and was representing growers in the north-east, told The Press: "We wanted to bring home to the Prime Minister the impact that these closures will have on an already struggling rural community."

He found it difficult to accept what he described as British Sugar's "monopolistic" decision to close the plant. He said: "It is particularly difficult to accept, given the support that York growers have given them over the years."

But he recognised the reality - that there was no going back - and urged Mr Blair to back resources to encourage new uses for sugar beet, for example as a fuel source.

Anne McIntosh, the Vale of York MP, who organised the meeting with Mr Blair, said Mr Blacker was "a powerful advocate both for sugar beet growers in North Yorkshire and the whole of England".

She said: "We all owe him a great debt of gratitude for putting sugar farming on the map."

Mr Blacker, who was chairman of the NFU Shipton branch from 1979 to 1983, was also elected as York County branch delegate to the National Sugar Committee in January, 1980.

He was vice-chairman for nearly 15 of his 20 years with the national sugar beet committee, and was made chairman in 2002. He stepped down last year because of ill-health.

He was national vice-chairman for England of the Young Farmers' Club in 1974, and national chairman for both England and Wales the following year. He also represented UK beet growers on CIBE, the European beet growers' association, and was vice-president of the World Sugar Beet and Cane Growers Association.

Two years ago he led a delegation of more than 100 UK growers in a peaceful rally of European growers in Brussels to show opposition to the European Commission's sugar reform proposals.

Richard Ellison, north-east regional director of the NFU, said: "Mike was a huge favourite throughout the local farming community.

"His infectious sense of humour, coupled with 100 per cent commitment to the industry was a combination that won him real respect and affection."