PETER Terry, the last member of the Terry family to manage the York chocolate factory, has died.

The former deputy managing director who had been ill for some years, died last night at St Monica's Hospital, in Easingwold, only hours before news broke of the deal to buy the chocolate factory site.

Mr Terry, of Brandsby, near Easingwold, backed the Evening Press campaign in 2004 to save Terry's from closure by parent company Kraft.

He said the closure made him feel as though there had been a loss in the family, and attacked "people from abroad who take over without having a local interest".

He said: "It is wrong when people far away are guided in their decisions by the logic of the ledger book, and not by a feel for the interests of the local community."

Mr Terry's father, Noel, was head of what was then a family business, and his great grandfather, Sir Joseph Terry, was the son and namesake of the original Joseph Terry, who gave his name to the firm.

Peter Terry was made president of Terry's for life by Lord Laing, of United Biscuits, when the conglomerate acquired the factory from Colgate Palmolive in 1982. He stayed for another three years as a consultant.

Mr Terry was arguably the best ever York sporting allrounder. Cricket was his favourite game and he played for MCC under Brian Sellars, the Yorkshire captain, and batted with England players Peter May and John Dewes.

He leaves his Swedish-born wife Carin, six sons and a daughter. Funeral details have yet to be finalised.

Updated: 13:02 Thursday, February 02, 2006