RETIRED East Lancashire veterinary surgeon John Richard Tindall has died at the age of 60 after a long illness.

Mr Tindall, who was well known across the area, built up the thriving five-man practice of J.R. Tindall and Partners in Clitheroe and Accrington.

He had worked as a student with Peter Hall at Prospect House, Church Brow, Clitheroe, before joining the practice full-time after qualifying from the Edinburgh Veterinary School in 1960.

He ran the practice and its Accrington branch surgery largely single-handedly for many years before expanding the practice, now the Mearley Veterinary Group.

A past-president and secretary of the Lancashire Veterinary Association, Mr Tindall retired from general practice in 1992 and moved to Maidstone, Kent. Former partner Tony Huddart said: "We have lost a friend, a mentor, a motivator and one of the toughest and most likeable characters we have ever been privileged to be associated with.

"Through his enthusiasm for general veterinary practice he was held in high esteem and much affection by his colleagues and clients.

"His farmer clients in particular appreciated his no-nonsense approach and high work rate as well as his abrasive wit."

Mr Tindall, who lived in Clitheroe, held high office in the British Veterinary Association, and became president of the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons in 1993.

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the profession he was made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1996.

Mr Tindall, who leaves a widow, Katherine, and five children, died at St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.

A memorial service is to be held locally at a date to be announced.

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