Tributes have been paid to a Cononley pub landlord who has died aged 54.

Ian Savoury ran the New Inn and also spent five years at the helm of the Snooty Fox in Oakworth.

“He was a wonderful man and loved being with people,” said Jane Savoury, his wife of 24 years.

“Ian made everybody feel welcome, whether local or from afar.

“He was always one of the lads and liked a laugh. He loved life, but it was too short.

“The world will certainly be a quieter place without him.”

Ian – a joiner by trade – grew up in Cononley, attending the village primary school and South Craven School in Cross Hills.

His brother, Neil Savoury, 52, who runs Cononley’s other pub, The Railway, said: “He was born and bred in the village and we grew up in a house in Meadow Lane.

“It was always his dream to have the New Inn. That was our local.”

Neil, who has been at The Railway since May, said the rivalry between the two pubs was always “friendly”.

“At last year’s Cononley Gala, there was a tug-of-war between the two pubs,” said Neil. “The Railway won and Ian never let me forget that. So at this year’s gala, we’re going to do another one in memory of Ian.”

More than 200 people attended Ian’s funeral, held on Monday at Cononley United Church.

“I didn’t realise he had so many friends,” said Jane. “The family would like to thank everyone for their support. He’s going to be sorely missed.”