A York motor sports enthusiast and public figure has been commemorated after having a memorial trophy dedicated to him.

Lawrence Ryan, known as Lol, became a popular character on the hillclimb circuit on which he competed in his Morgan sports car.

Later he became an equestrian manager when his eldest daughter, Claire, became a successful showjumper on her horse Miladdo.

He was also a Freeman of the city of York and a demolition contractor, his firm being responsible for the controversial demolition of Rosedale Chimney.

He died suddenly in 1984 at the age of 66 and has now been remembered in the shape of the Lol Ryan Memorial Trophy.

It was presented for the first time at the recent BARC Championships Harewood Hillclimb by Lol's widow, Hilda, and daughter Claire to the winner, Mike Sidgwick, from Chipping in Lancashire. It will be awarded yearly to the fastest Morgan competing over the season.

Updated: 12:13 Wednesday, July 04, 2001