FRIENDS and family have been paying tribute to a well-known former Selby shopkeeper.

Derek Stone, 72, and his wife, Mary, 75, owned and ran the grocer's shop in Barlby Road together for more than 30 years.

The couple, who originally met in Dewsbury, were married in New Zealand in 1961.

Mr Stone had moved to that country more than ten years earlier.

He had worked in the Merchant Navy, and decided to settle in New Zealand after spending time in Wellington.

He stayed in touch with his future wife, and she eventually moved there.

After their marriage, the couple returned to England.

The journey was intended as a short trip, but within three months of returning, Mr Stone had bought the shop in Selby.

"People in Selby knew him as Arkwright, from Open All Hours," Mrs Stone said.

"We had some absolutely great times running the shop.

"Derek used to joke with the customers, and he'd put up notices in rhyme, or with deliberate misspellings, so that people would actually read them."

The couple had two children, Christopher and Fiona.

Mrs Stone said: "Once we had the children, our family was complete.

"They brought both of us a lot of joy. We lived for the children and the grandchildren."

Mr Stone was forced to retire in 1996 due to ill health, and the shop was converted into their home.

He was active in the community, being a member of the men's society at Selby Abbey, and involved with Selby Methodist Church, where he worked as a steward.

He was also on the Selby-Carentan twinning committee for several years.

Mr Stone is survived by his widow, his two children, and four grandchildren, Billy, Rhiannon, Jak and Charly.

His funeral will be held at Selby Methodist Church, on Monday, at 2pm.