ACCLAIMED musician, composer and conductor Arthur Butterworth has died at the age of 91.

But he has left behind a huge musical legacy, having written more than 150 works, including large-scale orchestral pieces, intimate chamber and instrumental works and compositions for brass bands.

Although nationally renowned, he was known locally as a long-time conductor of Settle Orchestra and Craven U3A Orchestra and as president of Skipton Music.

"He always demanded very high standards, but he did so with a twinkle in his eye," said Settle Orchestra chairman Paul Atkinson. "After retiring as our conductor, he was made a vice-president and kept his interest in the orchestra. He was very generous to us, coming back when asked for special occasions. We really enjoyed our relationship with Arthur."

The orchestra dedicated Saturday's autumn concert at Settle College to his memory.

Mr Butterworth, who had lived in Embsay for more than 50 years, was also remembered at a concert featuring the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and Leeds Festival Choral Society in Leeds Town Hall on Saturday.

Mr Butterworth was associated with Skipton Music for more than half a century and was its current president.

Retiring chairman Brian Davies said: " Arthur will be greatly missed. We valued his expert advice on programming which came from his vast knowledge of all things musical.

"His keen wit and sharp intelligence always made meetings more interesting. We have lost a great advocate of live music but give thanks for his long life and lasting musical legacy."

Mr Butterworth was born in Manchester. He became a choirboy aged seven and, soon afterwards, joined the local brass band, learning first the trombone, then the trumpet and cornet. Arthur started attending the then famous children's concerts staged by the Halle Orchestra and began to dream of a life as a professional musician.

His parents were horrified. His father insisted that he got a "proper" job and enlisted him in a local solicitor's office to train for a career in the law. For Arthur, it was worse than being sent to jail.

He stuck it out until World War Two when he was called up and posted to North Africa. On being demobbed, he won a place at the Royal Manchester School of Music to study the trumpet and then took a job with what is now the Scottish National Orchestra. In Scotland, he met his wife, Diana.

He returned to Manchester to join the Halle under its legendary conductor Sir John Barbirolli.

But Arthur's ambitions were not yet stilled: he wanted to go further, both as a composer and a conductor. And that's what brought him to Craven more than 50 years ago.

He got a job as a travelling music teacher in the old West Riding, which allowed him time to compose. His many works included six symphonies and the recreation of lost fanfares played for the Queen's Coronation. And when his wife died last year, he wrote Elegy to Diana, which was premiered by the Northern Chamber Orchestra at a concert in Christ Church, Skipton.

A funeral service will be held at Tarn Moor Memorial Woodland, Skipton, on Friday, December 12, at 1pm. Mr Butterworth leaves two daughters, Nicola and Carolin, and grandchildren Harvey, James, Andrew, Michael and Charlotte.