ONE of the best known names in the Kidderminster carpet trade has died.

Roy Annable, who was 85, was president of Brockway Carpets on Kidderminster Trading Estate and lived in Droitwich.

Born in Stockport in 1929, Mr Annable was the son of a fireman on the railways. From Stockport Grammar School, he went on to read philosophy, politics and economics at St Catherine’s College, Oxford.

He began his career in the north of England with Seamless Axminster and Bernard Wardle and then in 1964 took over Brockway Carpets with his business partner Skene Walley, later taking full ownership in 2000.

Under his leadership the firm evolved from a traditional weaver of Wilton and Axminster carpets to high quality contemporary floor coverings for domestic and commercial markets at home and abroad. Brockway soon to establish itself as forward thinking company in the carpet industry and became a pioneer of tufted carpet in the UK.

Mr Annable's son and company chairman Charles Annable said: “While I will miss him enormously it is a great consolation to know that he led a full and in many ways remarkable life. He continued to enjoy life at Brockway until the relatively recent past, despite some major setbacks to his health over the last 13 years, which was a great credit to his determination and indefatigable spirit. To everyone who met him he was a true gentleman with a strength of personality which inspired all who knew him - family, friends and work colleagues.

“He believed strongly in British craftsmanship and was proud to manufacture beautiful, high quality products in our own factory in the traditional market town of Kidderminster. We are so proud of his vision and achievements, transforming Brockway into the market leading UK brand which is recognised internationally today. He will be greatly missed by us all.”

Mr Annable's funeral was held privately last week.