Tributes have been paid to a popular man who was involved in the scout movement in Selby for 50 years.

Tom Hillbeck who has died after a short illness aged 84 became involved in scouting in the area when he moved to work at Eggborough Power Station in 1965, joining the Brayton Scout Group where he was heavily involved with the building of their new head quarters.

While he was with the group Mr Hillbeck was cub scout leader and an Akela until his retirement at the age of 65, but he continued in an active role with the Scout Fellowship in Selby.

In 1987 he was awarded the medal of merit for services to scouting and in 1994 received a silver acorn for outstanding services to the movement.

Mr Hillbeck was also a keen first-aider, holding a St John First Aid certificate from the age of 14.

He was an instructor to both the Eggborough First Aid and Fire Fighting rescue teams and in 1985 he was made an honorary life member of the St John Ambulance Association.

He was involved with many organisations, being a founder member of the gardening club in Thorpe Willoughby where he lived and Eggborough Retired Association.

Mr Hillbeck was also a past president and secretary of the former Selby Probus Club.

Keen bowler, being a founder member of the Eggborough bowling club, where his wife, Vie also played, and was also a qualified coach and short mat bowls umpire.

The president of Selby Scout Fellowship and the former district commissioner Eric Postles said: "Tom was a first class scouter, with a natural ability to lead and was a strength in running camps and events in the area. He will be sadly missed."

Mr Hillbeck's funeral is today at 2pm at St Wilfrid's Church, Brayton.