Herbert John Farr, of Tennis Corner Farm in Dilton Marsh, near Westbury, died on November 14, aged 96, after a short illness.

Mr Farr attended school in the village, where his father owned Tennis Court Farm. On his death his 14-year-old son had to get fully involved in the running of the farm, which would become his passion.

During the Second World War, he volunteered for the Home Guard, and had to work hard to combine evening training with the commitments on his farm, in order to meet government food production targets.

He surpassed these targets, and the farm played host to a number of German Prisoner of War workers, with whom he corresponded after the war.

Later in life Mr Farr, who never married, developed a love of cookery programmes, and always had a fascination for the whole process of producing food, from the farm to the plate.

He continued overseeing the running of the farm, where he was born, until his death, becoming a beloved figure in the local farming community.

Mr Farr was very fond of cricket, in his early days playing with Berkley Cricket Club, and later in life travelling to watch Somerset and England games.

A service of thanksgiving for his life will be held at 11.30am on Saturday, December 5 at All Saints Church (The Tin Church), Brokerswood, near Westbury.