A POPULAR landlord has been found hanged in the cellar of his York pub.

Father-of-two John Witty, 44, who ran The Turf Tavern, in Thanet Road, was discovered by his shocked wife, Joanne, at the premises on Sunday morning. There were no suspicious circumstances.

His heartbroken father, Peter, 73, of nearby Eason View, said today it was a "complete shock" to the family, as his son had appeared to be in good spirits.

"All we want to know is why?" he told the Evening Press.

John Witty, who also worked as a groundwork foreman, had been out drinking with colleagues the night before his death and sang a karaoke duet at a pub with his best friend, Andy Burks.

Mrs Witty said: "It's a heartbreaking shock to me. Our daughter was a princess to him and our son idolised him. John was very hardworking and well respected in his work."

Mr Burks, 39, from Acomb, who had arranged to meet his friend the morning after their night out, said: "I feel like I've lost my right arm.

"He was in a fantastic mood all night, so it was the last thing we expected. "We sang his favourite song, Penny Arcade, together and then got a Kentucky (fried chicken) on the way home.

"John was my best friend and means everything to me."

Peter Witty, who has four other children, said: "I will feel better when I find out why it happened.

"Children bury their fathers and mothers, not the other way round."

Mr Witty said his son had been married for about 20 years and was a devoted father to his two children, Perry, 13, and Hebe, ten. He took over at the pub about two years ago and introduced a pool and dominoes team.

Mr Witty was also widely known for being a pickled-egg eating champion.

The landlord's brother Kelvin, 48, from Acomb, said: "John was always there for me. I'm just devastated. He ran a good pub."

Mr Witty's friend and former colleague, Paul Harris, landlord of The Acomb Pub, off Kingsway West, added: "I've known John for 20 years. He was always such a strong person, which is why I'm so surprised by this.

"His children idolised him."

An inquest has been opened and adjourned.

The funeral will take place at Acomb Methodist Church, in Front Street, next Tuesday, at 12.15pm.

Updated: 10:52 Wednesday, July 13, 2005