There was barely an aspect of public life in which Lord Ingrow, formerly John Aked Taylor, was not involved.

So the former Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire and life president of Timothy Taylor's beer brewing empire will be missed by many.

Born in 1917 to Percy and Gladys Taylor he was grandson to Timothy Taylor who started the now globally renowned Keighley family brewing business in 1858.

He was educated at Shrewsbury School and in 1938 commissioned to the Duke of Wellington's Territorial Army Regiment.

During the Second World War he served with the Royal Signals in Norway, the Middle East, Sicily, north west Europe and the Far East, leaving with the rank of Major in 1945.

He married Barbara Stirk daughter of Keighley accountant Percy Stirk in 1949,

The couple had two daughters - Anne and Diana.

Lord Ingrow became managing director and chairman of Taylor's in 1954, stepping down in 1995 when he was made life president.

Charles Dent present managing director and Lord Ingrow's son-in-law said his predecessor had ensured the company's survival with "shrewd financial management" and the "best traditional brewing practice".

Mr Dent added: "He continually developed and strengthened the company through the quality and reputation of its beers, which have won most of the major brewing awards.

"The qualities he expected of honesty, accuracy, economy and excellence are still keystones on which Timothy Taylor continues its business.

"He will be very sadly missed by all who knew him but the principles he established continue to drive the philosophy of everyone at the brewery."

But he is perhaps equally renowned for his long-serving commitment to the Conservative Party, which he joined as a Young Conservative.

He was the youngest ever chairman of Keighley's Education Committee at the age of 32 in 1949 and was just 38 when he was elected as Mayor of the former Keighley Borough Council.

Over the years he has chaired Keighley Conservative Assoc-iation (for ten years, Yorkshire Area Conservative Association and the national executive committee of the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations.

Brian Carr a former treasurer of Keighley Conservative Party who worked alongside Lord Ingrow said: "The more I saw him the more I admired his qualities.

"He had a very easy hand and he was very much respected and liked."

John Aked Taylor was awarded an OBE in 1960, a knighthood in 1972 and given the title Baron Ingrow in 1982 when he was made a life peer.

He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire in 1985, which required him to act as host to 87 royal visits to the region, escort the Royal Family on 220 engagements and present various medals and commendations on behalf of the Queen.

He also served as a magistrate for 38 years and a member of the Magistrates' Association, president of the Yorkshire and Humberside Territorial Army Volunteer Reserve Association and General Commissioner of Income Tax (1965-92).

In 1986 he was created a Knight of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem and served as President of the Council of the Order of St John in South and West Yorkshire until 1992.

He was also patron of the Keighley Gala.

His later years were blighted by Parkinson's Disease, which eventually saw him retire from public life and led to his death on Thursday, February 7 at the age of 84. Lady Ingrow had died of cancer in 1998. Lord Ingrow leaves his two daughters and four grandchildren.

His funeral will be held at 11.30am on Monday, February 25 at Keighley Shared Church.