A Black Country haulier known as a “tough guy” has died aged 65, after losing his fight against cancer.

The funeral of John Yapp, nicknamed ‘Yappie’ will be held tomorrow  and the coffin will be carried on the back of a 1959 Leyland Comet to Gornal Wood Crematorium for 11am. Mr

Yapp, also known as Johnny Lotus because he always drove an old Lotus, spent his life in the haulage industry working as a motor mechanic for LP Transport, Tividale, Fosters of Dudley and G Cox Oldbury Ltd.

Boss John Cox, aged 72, who knew Mr Yapp since he was 14, said: “He was a first class worker.  His lorries were always immaculate and he would clean the other trucks if they were dirty.

“John was a brilliant chap and we used to go round the country following speedway and watched the old Cradley Heathens.”

Another haulage boss Ray Hingley, aged 59, who runs Hingleys in Talbot Lane Brierley Hill, said: “He was a gem and one hell of a character.”

Mr Yapp’s brother Steve, who celebrates his 49th birthday tomorrow, said he only found out John was his brother five years ago after spending all his life believing they were cousins.

Mr Yapp, who runs Dudley Mowers & DIY in Halesowen Road, Netherton, said family circumstances meant his brother was brought up by an uncle.

Mr Yapp said: “He was a fantastic brother. From the age of 14 he pretty much had to look after himself and he was a tough guy.”

Mr Yapp, of Dudley Road East, Tividale, who never married, died from bowel cancer at Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge.

John Yapp was featured in the Express & Star in 2000 pictured with his hanging baskets which passers-by stopped to admire. His brother said he always had fresh flowers in the window.