Hundreds turn out to pay respect to TV presenter Harry Gration
A service of thanksgiving has been held today at York Minster for the broadcaster
A service of thanksgiving has been held at York Minster today in memory of BBC presenter Harry Gration. He died last month at the age of 71.
Hundreds of people turned up to pay tribute to the presenter who had been on our TVs for four decades.
He started his career as a history teacher before joining the BBC and fronting the regional news programme.
Those gathered outside the Minster today described him as a "genuine and warm man who was a true Gentleman".
His coffin was decorated with dozens of white roses and there was a huge and heartfelt round of applause as the funeral car pulled up outside the Minster for the service.
His friend and cricketing legend Dickie Bird was among those at the service " My memories of Harry is a great friend, a friend who I shall always miss, I spent a lot of time with him, and he helped me a great deal in my career. When I got my OBE from Buckingham Palace, Harry came all the way from Yorkshire with the cameras to Buckingham Palace and he was there, as a friend, and he was a legend and a true Yorkshireman through and through. And I shall have a tear in my eye, and I shall certainly miss him."
His co-presenter Amy Garcia told the congregation: "Harry was the heartbeat of the programme and head of the Look North family for four decades." She said "Often called Mr Yorkshire, he was passionate about the county and its people."
Ms Garcia said Look North had received thousands of messages from well-wishers since Gration's death. She said: "He was their voice. He was on their side. He was their friend too."
Former archbishop of York Lord Sentamu told mourners in York Minster that it was fitting the award-winning 71-year-old's funeral took place on Yorkshire Day as he gave the sermon for his "dear friend and fellow traveller".