THE founder of a Dorset-based bakery business, George Withey, has died at the age of 99.

Born in Templecombe in Somerset, Mr Withey lived with his mum, dad, and sister Dorothy, before moving away at 15 to Dorchester to train as a baker.

When the war broke, he went to serve in the training corps before moving back to Bournemouth in 1940.

He met and married his wife, Nora, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage before she died in December 2003.

Together they built up his bakery business following their marriage, which started with Victoria Bakery, based on Victoria Road before expanding to a branch in Pokesdown and then three further branches. Victoria Bakery also ran a whole business which supplied companies around Dorset, including the police stations and hotels. His daughter, Sara, said that her dad sacrificed himself so that she and her mother, Nora, could go on holiday so that she didn't have to miss out as she grew up.

He retired aged 56 and the couple moved to Alcudia in Spain, where they lived for around 20 years, before moving back to Southbourne.

He loved to cook and host dinner parties and enjoyed holidays which saw him fly on Concorde and cruises on the QE2 and absolutely adored his family including his two grandchildren and his great grandson.

Mr Withey continued to live independently, shop and cook for himself and held his driving licence up to his 90 birthday.

One of his favourite hobbies was dining out and enjoyed eating at Amalfi Italian Restaurant in Bournemouth, which is where his 99 birthday meal took place on August 31 this year.

He died on November 4 and Sara said that the family miss him terribly but they have been left with such wonderful memories.

His funeral took place on Friday, November 20.