A POPULAR York market trader who served fruit and veg for more than seven decades, has died aged 95.

Wilf Mannion, of Long Marston, worked on his father's fruit and fish stall from the age of 12, eventually taking on the business himself.

He served in the Eighth Army in Egypt during the Second World War. He then joined the Royal Engineers in Italy.

Wilf was back behind the stall following the war, his name becoming well respected throughout North Yorkshire - particularly for his strawberries.

He became president of the York Market Traders' Federation in the 1960s and was one of the main objectors to the market moving from Parliament Street to Newgate.

His son, John, who took over the 100-year-old business in 1971, said: "Everyone knew him. Dad could not walk down the street without someone shouting hello."

Wilf helped out at the stall until he was 80.

John said: "My dad would like to be remembered for always putting the customer first."

Wilf's funeral will be held on Wednesday at All Saints' Church, Long Marston.

Updated: 10:24 Saturday, March 30, 2002