Legend Ed dies, aged 67

Staffordshire haulage firm boss Ed Weetman has died after a short battle with cancer.

Mr Weetman, owner of Ed Weetman Haulage and Storage near Stafford, died yesterday at the age of 67.

He was the president of Stafford Conservative Association and a former chairman of Stafford Rangers.

His daughter Kate today said he was "an absolutely wonderful man". She told the Express & Star: "He was a wonderful father, a wonderful grandfather and I know he's going to be missed very, very much by a lot of people."

Mr Weetman died at his home in Weston, where he lived with his partner Jenny.

He leaves Kate, aged 38, her 40-year-old sister Elaine and five grandchildren.

Fradswell-born Mr Weetman founded his Great Haywood-based business more than 40 years ago when he bought his first lorry for £30.

With his background in agriculture, he started out transporting animal feeds for a local mill. Over the years, he built up his business to become one of the largest bulk haulage companies in the West Midlands, with three depots all controlled from the head office on Great Haywood's Pasturefields Enterprise Park.

Mr Weetman was also a former vice-chairman of Stoke City and was a keen racing enthusiast. A familiar face at Uttoxeter Racecourse, he owned a series of horses.

Express & Star columnist Peter Atkins was a close friend of Mr Weetman for more than 40 years and described him as a "big-hearted character". He said: "He was a self-made man and there was much to be admired for what he had achieved in life. His entrepreneurial flair had affected many people in the county by providing employment and he will be sorely missed." Mr Weetman was a prominent campaigner for the haulage industry and previously fought against EU "red tape" which he said was strangling hauliers, holding meetings with Tory MEP Philip Bradburn on the issue. He was unanimously elected president of Stafford Conservative Association in April 2002.

Stafford's prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate, Jeremy Lefroy, said: "Ed was a great Staffordian with a strong belief in truth and fair play. He was a strong advocate for local business and will be sadly missed."

The chairman of Stafford Conservative Association, Councillor Amyas Stafford-Northcote, added: "Ed will be best remembered for building a very successful local business, but what many people didn't see was his continued hard work for local causes and charities."

Mr Weetman's funeral is being arranged by Alton-based directors Forresters. Call 01538 702164 for details.