FORMER Lord Mayor Jack Birch was remembered at York Minster yesterday by hundreds of friends and colleagues.

The memorial service celebrated the city stalwart's life. He died of cancer last month, aged 92.

Mr Birch had been a Conservative councillor in the Micklegate ward, a member of North Yorkshire County Council, a magistrate, governor of eight schools and a member of many clubs, societies and committees.

He was elected Lord Mayor in 1975 and returned to the Manor House, where he had lived as a child during his father's stint as Lord Mayor.

Speaker Michael Saville said: "Jack was a true gentleman, very knowledgeable and genuinely interested in people. His contribution to the lives of the people of the city of York has been immense, and many like me consider it a privilege to have worked with him. He was a truly remarkable person who has done so much for so many. We will all miss Jack." A collection was taken for York Against Cancer, York Minster, Young Groves and St Leonard's Hospice.

Updated: 09:56 Saturday, May 31, 2003