THE president of Selby Lions club, John Brown, has died at the age of 80.

Mr Brown, who was a member of the club for ten years, served as president in 2004 and 2005, and took up the role from David Jones again last year until his death on Monday.

Mr Brown worked with the NHS in York at Ryedale House, Clifton, and at York Hospital prior to his retirement, and enjoyed gardening on his allotment in his spare time.

Mr Jones said his successor had been a good member of the Lions, and would be sorely missed. “He was involved in many things with the Lions, not just for Selby, but for the district too.

“He always had a laugh and a joke, he was that sort of person. I will be very, very sad to say goodbye, because he was always smiling, and always wanted to get involved. He was one of our good memers. He would always help people, he was that sort of a person. He will certainly be missed.”

Mr Brown lived with his long-term partner, Doreen Holmes, in Brayton, and was due to hand over the presidency of the fundraising club to Dave Clark at a ceremony this weekend.

Mr Clark also paid tribute to his colleague, and said his efforts were tireless while working as district officer for different areas of the Lions.

He said: “He was a very good Lion, forever trying to get people to join. Even in hospital, he was trying to get the nurses to join. He would have raised thousands of pounds for charity. He was always looking for something new, different ways of fundraising.

“Only a few weeks ago, he did a bag pack at Sainsbury’s sitting in his wheelchair.”