TRIBUTES have been paid to the impresario who revived York's Mystery Plays.

Keith Thomson has died, aged 88, after suffering from Alzheimer's disease for four years.

He became artistic director of the York Festival in 1949, and went on to ensure the city played a full part in the Festival of Britain, in 1951.

He was showered with plaudits for his efforts at making the festival a truly spectacular annual event and, in particular, for the glorious pageantry of the Mystery Plays, which were mounted during the Festival of Britain for the first time in 500 years.

Mr Thomson's widow, Mary, said her husband was "a lovely man, someone who really enjoyed life while being totally committed to everything he did".

Mrs Thomson, speaking from her home in Longport, Canterbury, Kent, said: "We married in 1956 and had many happy years together.

"My husband was always willing to try something. He never shirked a challenge, and seemed to have the ability to do well at everything he did. He was 100 per cent committed.

"Having said that, though, he never forgot how to have fun. Money never bothered him. He just wanted to enjoy life, and, in particular, enjoy the arts."

Mr Thomson was the grandson of William Thomson, a 19th century Archbishop of York, although it was only when he was in his 60s that he was confirmed into the Church of England. He was the father of the novelist, Rose Tremain.

He also served as secretary of the Foundation Planning Committee of the University of York, witnessing its opening in 1963, and was a member of the Academic Development Planning Committee of the York Civic Trust.

It is reported that his work on the Mystery Plays was beset with problems. The incumbent Archbishop of York was unhappy with the idea of depicting the Crucifixion on stage, and the city fathers asked him to trim his travel expenses, as he was commuting to York on a regular basis from his home in London.

He was awarded the MBE in 1952, but went on to spend his later years in his home town of Canterbury, investing in a dairy farm and selling books from his family home.

He wrote a novel, The Dance Of The Sun.

As well as Mary, Mr Thomson is survived by two sons and three daughters, and also by his two daughters from his first marriage, one of whom is Ms Tremain.

Updated: 10:32 Saturday, August 18, 2001