ONE of North Yorkshire’s best known figures has died at home the age of 87.

Sir Marcus Worsley was a former MP and Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire and was also the brother of the Duchess of Kent.

Educated at Eton College, he served with the Green Howards in India, and later studied at New College, Oxford, and worked for the BBC.

In 1959 he was elected as the Conservative MP for Keighley where he served until 1964. In 1966 he was elected as MP for Chelsea where he served until 1974.

On the death of his father he resigned from the House of Commons and went to live at the family home, Hovingham Hall, and was involved with many organisations, particularly the National Trust, latterly bas deputy chairman.

He was Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire from 1987 to 1999, was a member of the General Synod for many years and was a major supporter of numerous music festivals.

A widower, he was a father of four – although one son predeceased him – and was also a devoted grandfather.

A funeral service for family and village will be held at All Saints Church, Hovingham, for family and villagers. A memorial service in York Minster will be held on January 31 at 2pm to which all are welcome.