WALTER Morrison 'The Grand Old Man of Craven' has been honoured in his beloved Malhamdale with a Yorkshire Society blue plaque.

An unveiling ceremony of the plaque and information panel at Malham Village Hall took place exactly 100 years after his death, on December 18, 1921. Although he died in Devon, his body was transported 300 miles back to Kirkby Malham in accordance with his wishes.

During his lifetime, Mr Morrison, who lived at Tarn House, Malham, was an MP, businessman and philanthropist who contributed to Giggleswick School and financed the printing of thousands of copies of Craven's Part in The Great War. He also donated a cottage to be used as a reading room, and is now Malham village hall.

The blue plaque was unveiled by Geoff Walsh, deputy chairman of the Yorkshire Society, while Neil Heseltine, chair of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, did the honours with the information panel, giving details of Mr Morrison's life. Also present were representatives of the Malham Village Hall committee, the Walter Morrison Festival Committee and residents.

An exhibition about the life of Walter Morrison has been extended to February 19 at The Folly in Settle.

Yorkshire Society plaques, which are cast and hand painted in Yorkshire, celebrate past Yorkshire men and women who, during their lifetime, achieved great things, gave exceptional service or contributed significantly to the region.