THE family and friends of a man who “always had a smile on his face” have unveiled a wooden bench in his memory.

Ryan David Walker, pictured, was killed while crossing the road at West Heslerton on November 27, last year.

The 26-year-old had lived in Sherburn all his life and worked as a kitchen porter at the Talbot in Malton.

His aunt Jean Walker said Ryan was a popular person and his family had wanted to do something to remember him.

“We decided we would like to place a memorial bench in the village and started to raise money with a raffle and sponsored walk, which raised over £1,000,” she said. “Everyone in the community has really come together and we have had donations from the village shop, East Riding Pub, Kingspan, Stockill Funeral Directors, as well as many others.”

Jean said her nephew was very well-known in the area. “He was a quiet lad and always had a smile for everybody. There wasn’t a bad bone in his body,” she said. “Ryan walked miles with his dog, Brock and was always happy and cheerful.

“He was a real ‘country lad’ who loved Johnny Cash and was interested in horse-racing and enjoyed gardening. He also had a dog - a lurcher called Brock.

“Ryan loved dogs, he’d go miles walking the dogs, he’d go all over.”

The memorial bench has been place in West Garth, Sherburn, where Ryan lived with his parents David and Loraine and brother Luke.

“He’s missed by all the family terribly and he’s left a big hole. They are all devastated, it has broken them,” she said.

Jean said some of the money raised would be donated to the road safety charity Brake.

“We are also planning to plant a tree later this month in village in memory of Ryan,” she added.

“We would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported us in any way, so many people have been so kind and generous.”