A former bridge champion has died at the age of 100.

Hubert Castle, who was born on May 24, 1913, lived a long, happy and remarkable life and was driving until the age of 97 when he had to stop due to a fall in the garden.

He was born in Armitage Bridge, and spent his early years in Springfields Terrace, Bradley Mills before living for over 60 years int Broadgate, Almondbury. he then moved into Greenacres Care Home, Meltham which was his home for three years up to his death.

His father had died at a relatively young age and like many boys of the time Mr Castle left school at 14 and entered the textile industry. He worked at Learoyd Bros., Leeds Road before a short spell in Bradford and then onto John Brooke & Sons at Armitage Bridge. He began there as a manager in the weaving shed and 43 years later ended his career with them as managing director, and was also a director of their associated companies A B Spinning and Shafton Worsted Co.Ltd. He was a life member of the Associate of the Textile Institute and received the first insignia award in Huddersfield.

He did his National Service at Bedale from April 1944 to December 1945.

His chief hobby was bridge. Huddersfield Bridge Club has been going for 77 years, having started on John William Street, and Mr Castle helped to expand the Bridge Club at its present address in Cambridge Road which was officially opened July 1965. He was Vice President of Huddersfield Bridge Club from 1968 to 2014, chairman of Yorkshire Contract Bridge Association from 1977 to 1990 then their President until 2014 as well as a delegate for Yorkshire at English Bridge Union for 13 years.

In 1972, he was awarded The Dimmie Fleming award for services to Bridge.

He was married for over 60 years to Catherine who died December 2001 and they travelled the country playing bridge. He was still playing bridge with friends who visited him at Greenacres just before he celebrated his 100th birthday.

His other hobbies were gardening, walking, cricket, and tennis in his younger days. He supported Huddersfield Town and read The Huddersfield Examiner every day as well as The Times.

He leaves a son Paul, a daughter Helen, five grandsons and ten great-grandchildren.

The funeral was held at St.Lucius Church, Farnley Tyas and donations were given to The Salvation Army as Mr Castle said ‘The Salvation Army was the only place where I could get a bath when I was in the Army!’