WARM tributes have been paid to a "larger-than-life" former security guard from Otley.

The funeral service for 86-year-old Arthur McCoy – described by his old employers as "one of Otley's biggest personalities" – was held at Rawdon Crematorium last week.

Mr McCoy had worked as a security guard at Blackhill Quarry in Bramhope for 12 years before retiring and moving into sheltered housing in Otley.

He had landed the job in an unorthodox fashion, as Phil Mone, director of the quarry site's operators, Mone Brothers, explained.

He said: "My father, Philip, first met Arthur in 1990.

"He saw him sleeping rough along the roadside in North Leeds whilst driving to the quarry and decided to help Arthur out.

"My dad offered Arthur a few days' work, which turned into 12 years!

"We bought a caravan for him to live in at the quarry site and he acted as our security guard. He could be frequently seen opening up the gates dressed only in a baggy pair of pants.

"He was a real character, who took a special interest in politics and liked a drink.

"In 2002, my dad arranged for Arthur to move into sheltered housing in Otley, where he lived peacefully and made many new friends – in particular, Sue and Sarah from the Black Bull pub, who took great care of him for the remainder of his life.

"We also kept in regular touch and visited him many times over the years."

Mr Mone added: "There was a bizarre link between my dad and Arthur – they both shared the same birthday and were the same age.

"Their paths were destined to cross and everyone at Mone Brothers will miss our larger-than-life former security guard."

Landlady of the Black Bull, Sue Blackburn, added: “Basically, Arthur became a good friend after I took him under my wing about ten years ago.

"I made sure he was well looked after and loved him like a grandfather.

"He will be sadly missed by a lot of people in the town."