JIM Bryan, whose name commanded worldwide respect amongst players of the Northumbrian bagpipes, has died at his home in Salisbury at the age of 77.

Mr Bryan retired to the city in 1999, having spent more than a decade sailing round the world with his wife Marion. He is celebrated as the co-author of a 1960s manual for making smallpipes which guaranteed the survival of the instrument and was a spur to its current popularity.

In Salisbury, Mr Bryan tirelessly promoted piping, so that the area now boasts a large and active band of players.

They can be heard at many events throughout the year such as St Thomas’s Christmas Tree Festival or in the summer programme at Mompesson House.

Mr Bryan played at the mayor making ceremony of Salisbury’s 746th mayor, Sheila Warrender, in 2006, and was in demand for weddings, church fetes and other events.

Mr Bryan, who died on February 6 after a long illness, also ran workshops where he taught pipemaking to local enthusiasts and for the University of the Third Age.

Elected President of the Northumbrian Pipers Society in 2006, Mr Bryan had just celebrated his election for a further three-year term, and had planned a fourth Salisbury President’s Day of informal piping for May 16.

It is planned that this will go ahead at Idmiston Memorial Hall as a tribute to him.

Mr Bryan is survived by his wife, Marion, his daughter Alison and his four granddaughters, who live in Salisbury.