FORMER Ermysted's Grammar School boarder and cross-country champion Peter Marshall has died, aged 73, after a long battle against cancer.

He was known by all at Ermysted's as Bones Marshall because of his thin frame and his cross-country triumphs, at both junior senior level, were all achieved in a halcyon era when the annual event was contested over walls, stiles and wire fences and through the icy waters of Eller Beck.

He also figured highly in county and North of England schools championships.

Peter subsequently went to London University and developed a passion for London taxis. He trained and qualified as a taxi driver, long before satellite navigation.

He later opted for a change of direction and ran a ski resort in the French Alps.

Filling out physique-wise, Peter switched his sporting focus to rugby, which he played well into his 50s and, after returning to Yorkshire, his local club was Malton and Norton.

His immense popularity resulted in a huge attendance at his funeral at Castle Howard.