FOOTBALL referee and former gravedigger, Alan Golton, has died suddenly at the age of 76.

Mr Golton worked for Selby District and Town Councils prior to his retirement, in various capacities and as a sexton for several years at Selby Cemetery.

His working life also involved various jobs, including milk man, working at Barlow depot, Raylor Plant Hire in York, and collecting payments for the Britannic Assurance Company.

While working as a sexton, he lived in the Selby Cemetery house and was instrumental - along with Tommy Dixon - in starting the schoolchildren's Remembrance service there.

One of nine children, he was born in Cawood, where he lived until marrying his wife, Margaret, 54 years ago.

A keen sportsman, Mr Golton served on the Barkston Ash FA committee, and as a referee he was chosen to referee the Barkston Ash cup final - considered a top honour on the local football scene.

He was also president of the Selby Bowls Association on two occasions, and played for Cawood and Selby Conservative Clubs in the local bowls league. He also served as president of the Selby Conservative Club, and played for the Cawood football team in the York league.

Mr Golton's widow Margaret said he loved social occasions, and organised dances in Holme Upon Spalding Moor, where he lived for some time. He later organised monthly dances at Osgodby Institute, where he served on the committee.

Ray Atkinson, a bowling colleague from Cawood Bowling Club, said: "He was a great fellow, and a very popular member of the club. I played in his rink, and being skip he always expected us to keep up to the high standards he set on the green. He was a friend to everyone."

Mr Golton is survived by Margaret, their three sons and six grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held for him at Selby Abbey on Friday at 11am, followed by burial at Cawood Cemetery.