LARGE crowds turned out in Otley last week to pay their last respects to a multi-award winning farmer.

Otley All Saints Parish Church was packed with mourners for the funeral service for George Rice on Friday.

Mr Rice, who farmed at Carlton all his life, was the winner of scores of show prizes, especially for his beef cattle.

He was also a past president and honorary life president of Arthington Show, and an honorary life member of Otley Show.

He died, aged 80, on June 29 following a long illness. He is survived by his wife, Rita and their children and grandchildren.

Local MP Greg Mulholland, who was among those who turned out for his funeral, described him as an "award-winning farmer, show man and gent".

He added: "I had the pleasure to get to know George Rice from 2005, when I was elected as the local MP, because he won so many prizes for his livestock at local shows and I found myself writing to congratulate him so often on his successes!

"George was a very familiar face at Otley and Arthington Show and on the local show circuit, and also at Otley Rugby Club, and he was hugely popular.

"The large crowds at his funeral were testament to how loved and respected he was.

"He was such a warm, genuine man and a real character – one of life's true gentlemen.

"He will be missed by many people, including me, but he will never be forgotten."