A KENTMERE farmer has died at the age of 47, following a battle with cancer.

Christopher Black was the son of Teddy and Clara Black, of Bridgestone Farm, Kentmere. Mr Black attended Ings Primary School, followed by the Lakes School, at Troutbeck Bridge. After leaving school he worked on the family farm and later became a partner along with his father and mother.

He married Sheila in October, 1992 and the couple lived at Low Yeat, a barn conversion near Bridgestone Farm, with their daughter Abigail.

Farming was Mr Black's life and his beef herd and sheep flock took up much of his time.

He was a member of the Westmorland Agricultural Society, the Rough Fell Sheep Breeders' Association and the Kentmere Sheep Dog Trials, as well as the Kentmere Institute Committee and the Kentmere and Staveley Hunt Committee.

His large circle of friends both young and old was reflected by the size of the congregation at his funeral, which was held at St Cuthbert's Church, Kentmere, on November 22.