A gardener who helped tend land across Ilkley for more than 20 years has died at the age of 42.

Peter Riley died suddenly from a blood clot at his Burley-in-Wharfedale home on May 2, leaving two daughters and a partner of 26 years.

The former Ilkley Grammar School pupil had worked alongside his brother, Glen, in a landscape business for 21 years, including caring for gardens at Abbeyfield residential home.

He leaves partner Helen Mann and daughters Niamh, 12, and Erin, 11.

Glen’s partner, Claire Sugden, said his sudden death was caused by a blood clot in his heart. He had been laughing and joking with Helen the evening before he died, and had showed no signs of being ill, she added.

“I think that’s why people are finding it hard,” she said. “People are looking for something to blame and there isn’t anything.

“Pete always thought that people never bothered about him, but with him passing away, I think he would be absolutely shocked how many people’s lives he did touch.

“He was a very intelligent man. He was one of those people who didn’t say much but when he did, you listened.

“He was also a private man. As long as his family unit was all right, he was happy.”

Peter’s funeral service will be held at All Saints Parish Church, Church Street, Ilkley, at 10.30am tomorrow and will be followed by interment at Ilkley cemetery.

Donations will collected in aid of two charities – the NSPCC and PDSA.