TRIBUTES are being paid to a Pocklington man who helped to found one of the town's best known restaurants.

Derek Bentley will be fondly remembered as "one of the best" by everyone who met him.

Mr Bentley died of a cancer-related illness at his home on Sunday. He was 65.

He is best known locally for teaming up with friend and former Army colleague Jim Sandison and opening the Bayernstubl Restuarant.

A former Regimental Sergeant Major who served all over Europe, Mr Bentley was greatly influenced by the German way of life. When he left the Forces he joined Mr Sandison in Pocklington where, in 1977, the pair opened the renowned Market Place restaurant.

A popular figure around Pocklington, Mr Bentley suffered in his later years from dermatomyositis, a condition which causes muscle inflammation.

Mr Sandison said: "Derek and I were life-long friends. We knew each other for nearly 50 years.

"He would help anybody, he really was one of the best. Derek was always there for his family and friends and was a very popular man in Pocklington.

"He was like a brother to me and I will miss him terribly. I still feel completely numb that he has gone."

Daughter Gail Bean added: "My dad was very well-known and well-respected in Pocklington.

"He will be missed by everyone in the family and also by a lot of people in the town. He worked with a variety of groups and was someone who had time for everybody."

Mr Bentley is survived by wife Jess, children Gail and Richard, and granddaughter Sophie.

A funeral service will be held at Pocklington All Saints' church on Monday, at 2pm, followed by a cremation service at East Riding Crematorium. Donations can be made to dermatomyositis research.

Updated: 12:34 Thursday, December 06, 2001