CLEOBURY Mortimer is mourning the death of local businessman and charity worker Jim Benson who has died of natural causes at the age of 81.

Jim, an engineer by trade, was born in Glasgow, one of 12 children. From 1963 he lived in Cleobury and was managing director of Cleobury Precision Engineering. He was also a member of the Cleobury Mortimer Association, the Parish Council and the local Catholic community. He helped organise many events including fetes and fashion shows.

His daughter, Anne Goodwin said, "My father was always immaculately dressed and wore a suit and tie wherever he went. In 1966 he was given a blessing from The Pope that had been arranged by a cousin who was a nun in India. He was a very quiet and dignified man who loved his family and was very professional."

Since the 1980s Jim and his wife Maureen have lived at the Old Bear pub in Kidderminster. Jim leaves a wife, Maureen, three children Maureen, Anne and James and seven grandchildren. The funeral took place last Thursday afternoon at St. Elizabeth's Church in Cleobury Mortimer.