DEREK Snowdon, who has died aged 71, was president of York Lawn Tennis Club, and president of Yorkshire Lawn Tennis Association in 1990.

Mr Snowdon, who was born in Sunderland, came to York on a temporary post with British Rail in 1951 with his wife, Marjorie, and they liked the city so much they decided to settle there.

He has been a well-known personality on the local tennis scene ever since, both as a player and administrator.

Mr Snowdon initially joined the old Heworth club, just off Dodsworth Avenue behind a laundry, but then moved to Clifton Tennis Club, who were then playing in Water Lane, a site now occupied by a youth hostel.

Clifton then joined forces with Tang Hall Tennis Club to form York Lawn Tennis Club and Mr Snowdon was a founder member in the middle 60s.

He won the York Municipal men's doubles title with Jack Butcher in 1971 and 1972 and the mixed doubles with June Ayres in 1966, 1968, 1971 and 1973.

Mr Snowdon, who refereed the York Municipal tournament - now the City of York Championships - from 1976-1989, was chairman of York LTC from 1968 to 1986 and was then elected president, a position he held up to the time of his death.

He played in the York and District Mixed Doubles League.

He was employed by British Rail all his working life until taking early retirement at Christmas 1985 when he was 55. He died suddenly following a heart attack at his home in Clifton.

Mr Snowdon leaves his wife, Marjorie, son Anthony and daughter Glynis.

The funeral service is at Clifton Methodist Church on Friday at 3pm.

Updated: 11:38 Tuesday, November 13, 2001