A WELL known businessman who has been selling fashion clothing in Hereford since the Second World War has died aged 98.

Mark Black, the founder of family business M Black & Sons, in Widemarsh Street, starting selling clothes on the suggestion of his brother.

He started selling door to door and visited the Foxley Transit camp every Tuesday selling clothes for over 10 years.

He went on to own clothings shops at different premises across Hereford and has been a Levi dealer selling men's and women's jeans in the city for over 50 years.

Mr Black, originally lived in Manchester before passing his RAF exams as a tradesman and was stationed at Credenhill at the end of the war, where he met his wife Peggy.

After the war he started work as an electrician but his brother, who was a factory manager, suggested that he started a clothing business.

In 1949 he started his business in a private house before subsequently moving to three premises in Widemarsh Street and finished up at the current shop.

Black's became renowned for making made to measure suits during the 1970s and used to have a Ladies and Childrenswear department.

Speaking to the Hereford Times in 1999, Mark said: "If I lived my life over again I would not have changed anything.

"My wife and family have been a great support to me and my loyal staff also deserve credit. I would also like to express my thanks to all the people who supported me over the years."

The Widemarsh Street shop which sells jeans and casual clothing is now ran by Mark's son Rob Black.

He said that family's who used to buy clothes from his father's door to door business still buy clothes from the shop three generations later.