A NORTH Yorkshire farmer who is recognised as a driving force behind bringing the Great Yorkshire Show to the Harrogate showground has died.

Frank Abbey, 94, of Cromwell House, Long Marston, was chief cattle steward at the show for 35 years and a member of the executive committee.

He was a key member of the special committee which took the bold decision to buy the 200-acre showground from the Harrogate Corporation for £16,500.

A host of VIPs, including the Queen and Prince Philip, were escorted by Mr Abbey around the show to see "the finest cattle in the finest cattle sheds in the world."

Mr Abbey's son, Tim, has followed in his father's footsteps. He farms at Long Marston and is also a cattle steward at the Great Yorkshire Show.

He said: "My father was a man of honesty and integrity and I had great respect for him.

"He had a massive input to what went on at the Great Yorkshire Show - it was a big part of his life."

Hessay-born Mr Abbey is survived by his wife, Rita, and two sons, Tim and Jonathan.

A thanksgiving service to remember Mr Abbey took place at All Saints' Church, Long Marston, on Monday at 1pm.

Updated: 11:29 Wednesday, December 03, 2003