TRIBUTES have been paid to a much-loved Malvern business owner and former rally driver who has died.

Brian Evans founded Express TV Services in 1959, later going on to become a well-known rally driver and captain at Worcestershire Golf Club.

Mr Evans died on January 16 at the age of 81.

His son Heath, who now runs the business alongside his sister Heidi, paid tribute, saying: "It was in the days before colour TV and he had always been interested in electronics, so as TV boomed in the 60s and 70s, the business grew with it."

Mr Evans was born in September 1940 in Worcester, son of a police officer and former Grenadier Guardsman.

His father's policing duties took him around the region but eventually the family settled in Malvern, where the TV shop was opened in the skittles alley of the New Inn pub in the town before eventually moving to Malvern Link, where it still stands today.

In addition to running the shop, Mr Evans was also well known in the county's rally circuit.

Heath added: "He was also very well known because of his rally driving - he took part in the RAC and circuit of Ireland as well as many other rallies.

"I remember seeing him drive at the Three Counties Showground when they had a rally circuit there.

"He had a Porsche 911 he rallied in for a number of years."

After his rallying days were over, he turned his hand to golf, becoming a single-figure handicapped golfer and serving as captain at Worcestershire Golf Club in Malvern Wells.

He remained involved with the shop until his 70s, when he retired.

Heath added: "It is incredible really that we have helped generations of customers who have been with us since the shop opened and whose parents and grandparents came to us.

"That is all because of dad setting up the business and his efforts in making it a success for so many years."

Mr Evans' cremation will be on February 11 at the Vale Crematorium in Evesham.