Alec Mulholland, one of the early pioneers of Toolbank, has passed away.
Mr Mulholland, who died suddenly from heart failure last Monday, opened Toolbank's first northern branch, Curtis Holt, in 1978. He ran the business successfully before handing it over to his son Mark when he retired in 1993.

Born in 1929, Mr Mulholland had a stint in the navy before joining Buck & Ryan in 1949. He also sold the first £5.00 electric drill while working as a rep for Stanley N Bridges.

Toolbank's Simon Bicknell said of Mr Mulholland: "Alec really was a lovely man and a true friend to many of us. He was a real gentleman of the trade and was the third generation of Mulhollands in the tool industry."

Mr Mulholland leaves behind his wife Gladys, sons Ian, Pete, Nick and Mark, and nine grandchildren. His first great grandchild due is due next year.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

The funeral will be held Friday, August 29 at Oakenshaw-cum-Woodlands Church in West Yorkshire at 12.15pm.

Family flowers only but donations can be made to Oakenshaw-cum-Woodlands Church.