Death aged 87 of Don Waterman, former boss of tourism for Scarborough, Filey and Whitby in the 1970s and '80s

After serving in the military in Malaysia, he studied the tourism industry and eventually joined the then Scarborough Corporation in its tourism department, becoming the director on the re-organisation of local government in 1974.

He was a big influence in the development of the tourist industry in Yorkshire through the then Yorkshire Tourist Board.

On retiring from Scarborough Council he became a consultant to tourism departments in other local authorities and, when he finally retired, went to live in the Estal commune in the Lot department in south-west France.

His wife, Jennie, said: “I met Don when he moved to France following the death of his former wife, and his retirement from a long and highly successful career in tourism and entertainment.”

Shortly after their marriage, they founded the New Dawn Association with the aim of helping impoverished children and adults in Uganda, Kenya, Nepal, Ivory Coast and Rwanda.

New Dawn Association is an international humanitarian, non profit making association inspired by the gospel.

Jennie added: “Don played a major role in all New Dawn activities, employing his professional experience and skills.

"His tireless enthusiasm, creative ideas and humour were infectious.”

She said he had a big passion for creating gardens and planting rose bushes.