Tributes have poured in after the death of a “true gentleman” and former regional director of the National Trust in the North West.

Laurence Harwood OBE, from Grasmere, sadly passed away on November 23 at the age of 87.

He leaves wife Melissa, children Matthew and Alice and grandchildren Daniel, Luke, Theodora and Elliott, who will miss him greatly as he has been a “pillar of strength and happiness” in their lives.

Mr Harwood first came to the Lakes while he was training to become a land agent at Cirencester Agricultural College when he helped at Somervell's farm in Kendal.

He went on to run the National Trust in the North East, before he was transferred to the North West.

"His love of the Lake District, its traditions, its farming methods, nature conservation and way of life made him feel at home as soon as he was transferred here," said Mrs Harwood.

"As regional director of the National Trust he loved nothing more than being out of the office and meeting the farmers, landowners and their families.

"He knew everyone's name and always remembered what they were concerned with and tried to help in anyway he could."

Mr Harwood was also chairman of the Cumbria Landowner's Association , a director of the Wordsworth Trust and was for many years a director of Grasmere Sports.

"He was best known for umpiring the tug of war waving his red handkerchief and throwing his hat into the air at the finish," said Mrs Harwood.

In addition he was a member of the Grasmere Village Society and helped to set up the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden.

And, as chairman of the Lakeland Housing Trust, he helped publicise the need for more affordable homes for local people, resulting in housing and land being bequeathed to the trust.

CONSERVATION: Laurence and Melissa Harwood at Buckingham Palace after Mr Harwood received an OBE for his conservation works

CONSERVATION: Laurence and Melissa Harwood at Buckingham Palace after Mr Harwood received an OBE for his conservation works

In 1996 Mr Harwood was recognised for his many years of conservation work with an OBE.

Mr Harwood's friends and colleagues have voiced their sadness at the loss of a man who they describe as, " a true gentleman, interesting and interested, kind, warm hearted, knowledgeable and at the same time humble and so much more."