A MONUMENTAL stonemason who devoted much of his life to young people and charity work has died at the age of 72.

Mr Thomas Rock of York Street, Clitheroe, spent all his working life as a stonemason and built up his own business in Market Place, Clitheroe.

His name and reputation is still used in connection with the business there although he sold out some years ago.

Recently, he had been on the fund-raising committee of the Derian House Children's Hospice Appeal and also served as a sidesman at the Clitheroe Parish Church of St Mary's.

Mr Rock died in Queens Park Hospital, Blackburn, after a short illness. His funeral will take place on Friday at St Mary's followed by cremation at Accrington. He leaves a wife, Laura, three children and three grandchildren.

The family have asked for donations to Derian House instead of floral tributes.

Originally from Great Harwood, Mr Rock moved to the Ribble Valley and went to live in Clitheroe in 1967.

He was a founder member of the Ribblesdale Rotary Club and was president in 1991.

He was also an active member of Blackburn Camera Club and Preston Mountaineering club in his younger days.

During the War, Mr Rock served as a signalman with the Royal Navy and spent two years on active service in Italy.

Mr Rock was also involved with the local scouts at Clitheroe Parish Church in the 1970s where he spent many years as group scout leader and played a vital role in the administration of the group.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.