THE founder of one of Darlington's oldest cab companies, which introduced radio taxis to the town, has died aged 81.

War veteran Bob Ibbotson, who came from a farming family in Farndale, North Yorkshire, moved to Darlington with his wife, Minnie, 50 years ago to work as a signalman.

In 1967 he set up ABC Taxis, which he ran for 30 years.

The father-of-three, grandfather and great-grandfather died last week after a spell in hospital with an infection and then a broken hip.

Mr and Mrs Ibbotson, who lived in Cockerton, Darlington, were married for almost 60 years. They moved to Darlington from Shildon with their three daughters in the 1950s.

Mr Ibbotson served in the Royal Marines in Sri Lanka, India and South Africa during the Second World War.

While working as a signalman in Shildon, and later Darlington, he also represented his railway colleagues as National Union of Railwaymen branch secretary.

While running ABC Taxis, he was a battler on behalf of taxi driver rights in the town and was frequently at Darlington Borough Council offices, speaking out against any policies which would affect cabbies.

On one of his many holidays in Blackpool, he noticed the radios being used in taxis and ABC was the first company to introduce the system in Darlington.

When he retired from the company he sold it to the drivers.

A former colleague, Phil Woods, said: "He was the most generous man you could ever meet.

"He wanted the company to carry on as it had been, so he sold it to his drivers when he retired. But he was still in the office every day having a cup of tea - he loved it.

Mr Ibbotson's daughter, Shirley Gibson, said: "So many people in Darlington knew him and loved him. He was such a lovely man. He would help anyone if they needed it."

His funeral will be held at Cockerton Methodist Church, on Tuesday, Donations are requested for St Teresa's Hospice in lieu of flowers.