A NORTH Yorkshire high street was brought to a standstill as a town paid tribute to a man whose life was snuffed out by a single stab wound.

Shoppers and passers-by stood in silence as firefighter Andy Campbell's coffin was transported to Selby Abbey on a turntable ladder.

On top of the flower-decked coffin sat Mr Campbell's bright yellow helmet and visor.

Behind the turntable ladder walked more than 20 of his Selby Fire Station colleagues, some of them close to tears as they said their own final farewells.

The firefighters, all in uniforms with polished shoes glistening, then formed a guard of honour outside the abbey as six of their colleagues acted as pall bearers.

About 200 mourners attended Saturday's funeral service, including Mr Campbell's widow, Debbie, 41, his children Hannah, 13, and David, 11, and step-children Paula, 26, and James, 21.

Mr Campbell, 40, of Hempbridge Road, Selby, died on Sunday, August 5, after a stabbing incident outside a neighbour's house.

A part-time firefighter at Selby for six years, Mr Campbell worked as a mechanic and was described by his devastated family as a wonderful father and husband.

The Vicar of Selby Abbey, the Rev Keith Jukes, told the mourners that Andy's untimely death had touched an entire community.

He said: "He was very much part of this community where he was brought up and had always lived. He was very much a family man - a devoted husband and a dedicated dad and granddad.

- A 43-year-old Selby man, Thomas Richardson, of Primrose Grove, has been charged with Mr Campbell's murder. He will reappear before York Crown Court on October 22 after being granted conditional bail.

Updated: 11:36 Monday, August 20, 2001