A prominent estate agent has died, after spending his whole working life of 46 years with the same firm.

The funeral of Jim Horsley, who died on Christmas Day aged 82 and who was the former chairman of Dacre Son & Hartley, is to be held tomorrow, at Bolton Abbey.

He left school in 1953 to become articled at the Yorkshire firm  which is still prospering today with a history of nearly 200 years and some 22 branches.

A talented newcomer to the industry, Jim  came top nationally in every exam set by both the then Chartered Auctioneers’ and Estate Agents Institute, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, in 1955, 1956 and 1958.

After National Service in the RAF, Jim returned to Dacre, Son & Hartley, living ‘above the shop’ in Ilkley after his marriage.

He became a partner at the firm in 1965, greatly expanding the residential side of the business.

He eventually retired in 1999 – three years after jointly heading the buy-back of the business from the Abbey National/Cornerstone Group in 1995.

Very involved in the local community, he was a keen amateur dramatist, captained Harrogate cricket club and founded the Optimists, a team of cricket enthusiasts playing against Yorkshire clubs.

He was also a tremendous fundraiser and in retirement led a successful attempt to restore Ilkley Kings Hall and Winter Garden.

A spokesperson at Dacre Son & Hartley paid tribute to Jim’s warmth of character, gregarious nature, limitless energy and professional calibre.