LIVESTOCK dealer Albert Hall, who built a multi-million pound family firm near York, has died, aged 86.

The family of Mr Hall, whose business Albert Hall Farms, in Strensall, was besieged in 1995 by animal rights groups opposing live veal exports, paid tribute to him.

His son Geoff, who passed on the reins to his son Andrew three years ago, said his father earned an enviable reputation through wheeling and dealing at livestock markets nationwide.

He said: "It is incredible really when you think what he achieved.

"Dad was always lucky with cows. He loved cows and they were his life.

"He was a real character. He was a gambler but he never worried about anything."

One of nine children, Albert Hall, born in Crayke, near Easingwold, built his early business on a high-speed bluff.

He bought six calves at market in Skipton and sold them in York before his cheque bounced. He repeated this process for a couple of weeks and grew his business from there.

Known as "the value for money man", he handed over control of the business roughly 35 years ago.

The massive operation was eventually split between Geoff and Andrew Hall, and Don Green, who married Albert Hall's daughter Wendy, and their son Mark. Geoff Hall's wife, Annette, and Wendy, were directors of the firm. He has seven great-grandchildren.

Grandson Andrew said: "Everybody knew him wherever we went. You could be his biggest competitor, but he would still have a pint and a laugh with you."

Geoff Hall added that his father would not have achieved all he did without his wife, Lottie, who died in 1994. Albert Hall died in Mulberry Court nursing home, York.

His funeral is on Friday at St Mary's Church, Strensall.

Updated: 09:22 Thursday, April 05, 2001