FOLK legend Pete Shutler, who played the accordion with acclaimed Dorset group the Yetties for more than 40 years, died on September 21, aged 68.

Born in Mudford, Somerset, on October 6, 1945, Mr Shutler grew up in Dorset and went to school in Yetminster, meeting his soon-to-be fellow band members in a local scout troop.

The Yetties started out in the early 1960s, where as lads they would loiter around the village hall while the ladies went dancing with the WI.

Before long Mr Shutler, Bonny Sartin, Mac McCulloch and fourth member Bob Common – who left the band in 1979 – were invited in to join the Yetminster and Ryme Intrinsica Dance Team (shortened to The Yetties), and soon they were playing music for the dancers and receiving bookings from further afield.

For the young band members, who went professional in 1967, even a trip to Yeovil was seen as a big event, and their new career and widespread popularity provided a window on the world.

They featured regularly on Radio 2 and enjoyed numerous opportunities to perform on television alongside stars including Noel Edmonds and Cliff Richard.

One of their best known recordings – that of The Archers theme tune ‘Barwick Green’ – can be heard at the beginning of the omnibus on Sunday mornings.

Internationally the band became known in countries as far flung as Singapore and Nepal, Canada and Pakistan, after they were called upon by the British Council to serve as cultural ambassadors.

In Ethiopia, the band found itself playing to an audience of 1,500 at an agricultural college, having braved armed militia and empty miles of desert to get to the gig.

The British ambassador said they had done more for Ethiopian-British relations in one concert than he had in 10 years of work.

Before turning professional Mr Shutler worked briefly for Yeovil Council.

Together The Yetties released 49 albums featuring many of Dorset’s traditional folk songs and dances, with Mr Shutler taking the lead for instrumental numbers.

As well as the accordion and concertina, he played the penny whistle and bowed psaltery.

He was particularly at home performing in his native Dorset, such as at the band’s monthly music nights in Sherborne, up until the band retired in 2011.

He is survived by his wife Marian and their two children, Jamie and Sarah.