David Morris

He was so concerned about the Dale's economic decline that he decided in retirement to put his banking experience into running his own company.

Swaledale Woollens was formed to promote local wool sales and provide employment for people in the Dale, and although it began in a very small way it was not long before a shop opened in Muker, near Reeth, and 30 home knitters were employed to make sweaters, hats and gloves that were proving so popular.

Mr Morris and his wife, Grizel, worked together, he using his business expertise, while she, experienced in knitting and able to design patterns, helped the knitters in their work and ensured the products were up to standard.

The company is still a significant source of employment for the local community, and a model of how local materials and skills can be developed into a successful business.

Mr Morris was born in Darlington the youngest of three brothers of the first manager of the town's Midland Bank, Trevor Morris, who although proud of his Welsh heritage, was committed to living in the Tees Valley.

David Morris grew up in Middleton one Row and was educated at Darlington Grammar School and Bootham School in York before following his father into the bank.

At the outbreak of the Second World War, he and his brothers, Trevor and Ivor, volunteered for the Royal Air Force. Ivor, who is now 97, was seriously injured when his bomber was strafed and shot down while returning from a mission, and he was invalided out of the RAF. Trevor Morris, who was a pilot for Ferry Command, crashed and died in Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada, while taking a new Dakota from Montreal to Britain.

Because of his administrative training in the Midland Bank, David Morris was assigned to desk duty support of active stations. One of his duties was to find staff and when a WRAF officer, Grizel Allen, was looking for a cook she was referred to Flight Lieutenant Morris. They met, fell in love, and were married in May 1946.

After the war Mr Morris returned to the Midland Bank in London but when his children were young, he and his wife were concerned about the quality of life there so he transferred to the Middlesbrough branch. He subsequently was promoted to assistant manager in Saltburn, and Branch Manager in Ponteland, near Newcastle.

He was also interested in local history about which he wrote six books, the latest being published only a few weeks ago.

He was an enthusiastic member of the Fellmongers Company of Richmond, as well as being an active member of Probus, and of Richmond Civic Society for more than 20 years, where he was chairman from 1990 to 1994. He was also on the Board of Richmond's Georgian Theatre and was a keen supporter of Darlington Football Club.

His service to the community in Richmond and Swaledale was recognised when he became an MBE in the New Year Honours of 2004. In typical style he chose to have it presented by the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire in the Georgian Theatre rather than receiving it from the Queen in London because, "he wanted to avoid too much fuss".

Mr Morris is survived by his wife, his daughter Jane, son Robert and his older brother Ivor.