Clem James

He was a long-serving chairman of the North Eastern Sea Fisheries Committee, the voice of the fishing industry from the Tyne to the Humber.

Mr James, who was 90, was made an MBE for his services to the fishing village of Staithes, the lifeboat service and the fishing industry.

His family had lived in the famous sea-faring village for over a century.

For more than 30 years, he was the clerk to the Staithes Harbour Commissioners and master-minded the plan to build sea defences in the village harbour to save it from the ravages of the North Sea.

Although not a fisherman, he was a well-known fish salesman and had customers throughout Britain and in mainland Europe.

His long service with the RNLI in Staithes and Runswick Bay, saw him rewarded with the institution's highest honours the Gold Medal, and he was then made an Honorary Life Governor. He also received a barometer from the RNLI for his services.

His wife, Edna, died in 1985. He leaves a son, Robert, and a daughter, Jane, two grand-daughters and two great grandsons.