A GRIEVING family has paid tribute to a popular Ryedale farmer and personality, who was killed in a horror crash.

David Wilson died after being in collision with a car outside the entrance to his home near Stonegrave, on the B1257 Malton to Helmsley road, on Friday night.

Mr Wilson, 68, of Stonegrave Lodge, had just taken his wife, Gillian, in the family car for a night out at a neighbour's home.

He had returned to park the car at the entrance to his home, a long drive down a track off the road, with the intention of walking back to the neighbour's house.

Mrs Wilson said he had done so to enable him to enjoy a drink without having to drive the car.

But just as he started to walk to his neighbour's house on the edge of the road, Mrs Wilson shone a torch to guide him.

She called to him, to tell him that there was a car coming over the hill behind him, from the direction of Stonegrave.

The collision occurred before he could step to safety on the verge. Mr Wilson died at the scene, said Mark, one of his two sons.

Mr Wilson had run the 250-acre pig and arable farm all his working life, taking over from his father.

But the family gave up farming pigs when the market declined, and the land was put out to contract. The family, encouraged by Mr Wilson, decided to diversify and established Playdale, a successful children's farm theme park at Cayton near Scarborough.

"He was an incredibly dedicated family man," said his other son, Guy. "He and my mother were inseparable - they were soul mates."

Mark described his father as "an absolute gentleman". He said: "He had a big impact on many people's lives.

"We have heard from people who he had helped when their vehicles had broken down and he offered them one from the farm.

"He was very brave in supporting our venture to set up Playdale when he had been in farming all his life."

Mrs Wilson said next year would have been their ruby wedding anniversary.

"He would help anyone. He was devoted to farming," she said.

As well as Mrs Wilson, Mark and Guy, Mr Wilson also leaves a daughter-in-law, Jackie, and two grandchildren.

Police investigating the accident have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

They particularly want to trace the driver of a car which was travelling from the direction of Helmsley towards Malton at the time of the accident, at about 7.30pm.

Anyone with information is asked to phone Traffic Constable Ian Barratt, on 01723 509555 or 0845 6060 247.

The North Yorkshire East Coroner, Mickael Oakley, opened and adjourned an inquest on Mr Wilson yesterday.