THE man behind one of the largest and well-known trucking firms in the Forest has died at the age of 89.

Mr Richard Read, of Longhope, was the co-founder of Richard Read Transport Ltd, in Longhope, which started in 1946 and has become one of the most recognisable names in the industry.

The family announced the news on the company's Facebook page last Wednesday, which sparked hundreds of tributes by family, friends and former employees expressing how well-loved he was.

His son Richard said: "Dad was not only a very successful businessman but a much-loved father, grandfather and great grandfather and his family will miss him dreadfully.

"The family have been deeply touched by the cards and messages received, including all the lovely comments on the company Facebook page. It is heart-warming to know he was respected by so many."

Mr Read married Amelia in 1947, who helped build the business, and went on to have five children, 11 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. For more than 35 years the business has been run with the help of the family and even until the morning he was taken ill he worked.

Amelia passed away in July this year and according to his family he was "lost without her."

Kay said: "They had raised a family and built-up the business together. They often joked that they 'had never had a day without a cross word', but they clearly thought the world of each other."

Mr Read's business was influenced by the success of his father who had been hauling since 1913, and when he returned from the Royal Navy, he launched his own business.

It was in 1959 that the relationship between British truck manufacturer ERF and Richard Read came into being. He bought his first articulated tractor unit, and during the 60s Richard and Amelia ran a fleet of 87 vehicles – an all time high for the company.

Kay said: "Those who knew Richard will tell you he was never afraid of making an investment in a new venture, and it was at the end of the 1970s that he built his first warehouse on his six acre site at Longhope. Whether or not he knew it at the time, his decision effectively changed the course of direction for his companies in their future years."

Further warehouses were built including on a site on the Forest Vale Industrial Estate, Cinderford.

His funeral will be held on Thursday, December 18 at All Saints Church at noon. Mr Read will be carried to the church on the back of the first ERF built – ERF 1. Kay added: "A fitting tribute for a man who was ERF through and through."