YORK landlord Bill White, who ran the Half Moon Inn at Strensall for 25 years, has died at the age of 96.

Mr White, who ran the pub in The Village with his late wife Gladys, died in Mulberry Court Nursing Home, in York. A funeral service was held at York Crematorium.

Mr and Mrs White were toasted by a packed pub of regulars and presented with gifts when they retired from the Half Moon in 1974.

After completing 22 years in the Army, reaching the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major with the 16/5th Lancers, Mr White became a publican after an Army friend got him an interview with the head of the brewery which owned the Half Moon.

Mr White served with the Queen's Royal Lancers before and during the Second World War in India and Africa. He was twice mentioned in despatches.

When he left the Army he was awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In 1973 he was presented with the Meritorious Service Award.

He played cricket, football and hockey for his regiment and was once regimental boxing champion.

When he retired from the Half Moon, he said: "It's been a good living and, even though I'm a southerner, I've always got on with Yorkshire people. We stayed on here three years extra because we both liked the life."

He leaves a sister, Sylvia, who is in her eighties and lives in Devon.

Updated: 10:39 Saturday, January 18, 2003