Mr Nichol was a beef and sheep farmer. The land he farmed at Sawley, north of Harrogate, has been in the family since 1877 and remains so today.

His father, Clarence, was a councillor on the Ripon and Pateley Bridge Rural District Council from 1955 until 1970 and Norman followed in his footsteps into civic life.

Mr Nichol first joined the RDC in 1971 and remained a member until local government reorganisation in 1974 when he was elected to Harrogate Borough Council. He also served on North Yorkshire County Council.

In 1981, he and his wife Mary were made deputy mayor and mayoress of the borough of Harrogate and in 1989 they were honoured for a second time, being made mayor and mayoress.

When he finally retired from Harrogate Borough Council in 1995, Mr Nichol was created an honorary alderman to recognise his long and distinguished service.

Outside civic life, he was a lifelong member of the National Farmers' Union and was chairman of its Kirkby Malzeard branch from 1971 to 1973. In retirement, he also enjoyed playing bowls as well as organising whist and domino drives.

The current mayor of Harrogate, Coun John Fox, said: "Norman Nichol was one of the nicest politicians I have met. He was totally committed to the residents of his ward, and supportive of the borough of Harrogate. He was a courteous and devoted family man."

Mr Nichol died in St James's Hospital, Leeds, on Tuesday. He is survived by his wife, Mary, their four daughters and their grandchildren.

A civic funeral will be held on Tuesday at 11am at St Michael and All Angels Church, Sawley.