A WELL-KNOWN Herefordshire farmer and businessman has died on his 59th birthday.

Francis Perkins was a former chairman and board member at 7Y in Leominster, helping the business to prosper and grow during a period that included the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

Mr Perkins (pictured) took over the company, which now employs 46 people, at a time when there were seven staff and the machinery ring was the main activity.

His achievements included the initial development and growth of Bioganix and he was instrumental in the expansion of the company to provide a range of services to agricultural and rural businesses in central England, Wales and beyond.

Other business interests included dairy farming until the mid-1990s, a retail milk round, poultry and property investments.

Mr Perkins was at one time a chairman of Round Table and member of Rotary, as well as the Herefordshire Agricultural Club and Three Counties Agricultural Society, where he served as show yard director for Herefordshire in recent years.

He was a one-time chairman of Hereford Young Farmers Club and the Hereford Young Conservatives.

As well as his interest in business and farming, he was keen on shooting, boating, rugby and cricket and he had an active social life.

A devoted family man, he is survived by his wife, Jackie, children, Stuart and Jo, and two grandchildren.

A service of remembrance will be held at Burghill Church at noon on Tuesday.