THE founder of a successful motor dealer group which became a household name in South Yorkshire has died.

Tom Hayselden, founder of the Hayselden Group, died aged 94 and his funeral takes place this morning.

Hayselden has the VW dealership at Wilthorpe, and a VW and Skoda dealerships in Doncaster.

The firm was founded by Tom at Brampton Bierlow in 1959. It expanded with the purchase of a garage at Redbrook in 1974 and then moved down the road to its present premises.

Tom led the business until he retired aged 65 in 1989, after which he took a keen interest in flying.

“He actually had a boat first which was kept at Southamp-ton,” said son Mick, now managing director of the firm. “He got sick of driving down to it and that’s what got him interested in flying. He was a late learner, but he got into it and he bought a plane.

“It was a six-seater Cessna. I was on the board of Barnsley Football Club for 18 years, and he used to fly me to some of the further-away games. It was a bit hairy at times.”

Tom was born at Bolton upon Dearne, and lived for many years at Brampton Road, West Melton.

He was a widower since the death of his wife Marjorie in 1991. He leaves son Mick, daughter Jennifer Marshall, three grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A funeral service will be held at Barnsley Crematorium, Ardsley, at 9.30am today. Donations in lieu of flowers will go to the Alzheimer’s Society.