A COMPASSIONATE and caring family doctor who loved walking the fells and mountains of the Lakes has died aged 68.

John Bone was described as having a 'good sense of humour and always a gentleman' by his son Jonathan.

His career also included time as a police doctor for Cumbria Constabulary.

In retirement, Dr Bone followed his other great passion in life: walking the fells and mountains. He had already completed an impressive 188 of the 214 so-called Wainwrights peaks in Lakeland. Jonathan will be completing the remainder for him to raise money for Eden Valley Hospice where his father died on June 7.

Jonathan said: “One of the greatest pleasures of his general practice career was the cradle to grave approach, seeing patients through their entire lives, which I think is lost from general practice now. He was one of the final, traditional family doctors.

“I remember his tales about when he’d do house visits. He wouldn’t just sort your medical problems. While he was there, he’d also put your bins out, clean your guttering and cut your lawn.”

Dr Bone, from Carlisle, also leaves his daughter-in-law Holley, (also a GP), grandsons Ewan, three, four month-old Finlay, and his wife Jan.