A FAMILY has paid tribute to a Bewdley businessman who owned caravan parks across Worcestershire and beyond.

Alldey Loveridge, who has been described as a "family man" and a "perfect gentleman," died at the age of 79 on April 14.

Mr Loveridge was born in Stourport in 1942 and lived in Worcestershire all his life. 

He owned 15 caravan parks across Worcestershire, Shropshire and Warwickshire, including Riverside Caravan Park in Bewdley where he lived. 

His daughter Mersadie said he built the foundations of a "legacy which will live on forever".

The 39-year-old said: "My dad started off with one piece of land in Stourport and he developed that into his first successful caravan park.

"He was a very well known genuine person. He always had time for everyone. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. 

"He was a perfect gentleman". 

Mr Loveridge's wife Ivy said: "Alldey was my soulmate, he was a great man. We've been married for 57 years. 

"Alldey loved life and nature, he was a family man. 

"He was greatly respected by all, my life will never be the same without him. I will forever cherish his memory forever until we meet again".

A funeral service will be held for Mr Loveridge on Wednesday, May 4 at St Anne's Church in Bewdley at 1.30pm. 

The family will follow a carriage pulled by horses from the caravan park to the Load Street church. Following the funeral, a service will be held at Wyre Forest Crematorium.