TRIBUTE has been paid to a former Skipton police officer who has died aged 93.

Scowen Mogg served as superintendent in the town before becoming commander at Keighley in the mid 1960s, where he remained until his retirement in 1982.

He was also a stalwart Rotarian and a long-time member of Keighley Golf Club.

This week his daughter Mrs Margaret Johnson, who lives at Sutton, said her father was hugely respected.

And she added the whole family was "very proud" of him.

"He had a wry sense of humour – but never cruel or sarcastic – and he didn't lose that," said Mrs Johnson.

"Officers under him knew he was in charge, but he was an incredibly fair man and was held in high regard.

"He was very keen on the welfare not just of his officers, but of their wives and children.

"People travelled from across the country to be at his funeral service – Skipton Crematorium was packed."

After leaving school at 15, Mr Mogg attended commercial college in his native Wakefield and worked for a short time for the old West Riding County Council before joining the police force in 1941.

He had a spell with the RAF, qualifying as a pilot and being commissioned as a flying officer, but returned to his role as a bobby at the end of the war.

Mr Mogg rose through the police ranks, moving to postings across Yorkshire before arriving in Keighley as chief superintendent.

Apart from a brief period in Bradford Central, he remained at the helm in Keighley for the rest of his career.

He was awarded the MBE in 1974 for his services to policing.

Mr Mogg, who lived at Utley, joined Keighley Rotary Club in 1966 and was president in 1985-86. He recently received a long-service citation from the international organisation.

As well as his interest in golf, he was also involved in the University of the Third Age.

Mr Mogg's wife Nina, whom he married in 1947, died 13 years ago.

Mrs Johnson said her father was a devoted family man – he also leaves a son David, five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.