A Hereford businessman, whose name will forever be linked to the county's fruit and vegetable trade, has died aged 65.

Brian Parry died last Saturday morning at Stretton Nursing Home in Burghill from liver disease.

Mr Parry began his greengrocer enterprise at Meadow Market in Withington in 1971 before expanding his business with stores in Commercial Street, Whitecross and Maylord Orchards.

The excellent reputation Mr Parry gained with hotels, restaurants, pubs and schools made the company's transfer to the Rotherwas Industrial Estate to trade solely as wholesalers a success in 2001.

Mike Parry said his dad then faced one of his toughest decisions when he decided to sell the company to Redbridge Foodservice in 2004 and bring to an end the 33-year history of the firm.

He said his dad was very much a hands-on boss, who drilled the three words 'quality, quality, quality' into his staff.

And he added that his father still left the house at 3am to make the daily deliveries from Birmingham before the company was sold.

Outside work, Mr Parry played an active role in the community and was made president of the Hereford Wye Valley Rotary Club in 1989.

He was also chairman of the club's international service and foundation committees and a member at Burghill Valley Golf Club for many years.

Mike said the family had received a massive response from well-wishers. "It has taken my mum an hour each day to open all the cards from friends," he said.

"At times I don't think we realised the impact dad made."

Mr Parry is survived by his wife Jane, their children Mike and Claire, and grandchildren Sophie, Alex, Hugo, Piers and Claudia.

The funeral service is to be held at Burghill Church next Tuesday at 3.30pm. Family flowers only, but if desired donations for Burghill Church or Barrs Court Hydro Sense Appeal may be sent to Bayley Brothers Ltd at 17/19 Cotterrell Street, Hereford, HR4 0HH.