JOHN Plank, one of the best known names in the Dorset travel business, has died at the age of 89.

He was a leading figure in the travel trade for nearly six decades and one of its most colourful and charismatic characters.

John Plank was born in Rome, the son of an Italian actress mother and a father who was a sports correspondent for the BBC. When Italy entered the war in 1941 the family fled to England, with just two suitcases, catching one of the last trains out of the capital.

The young ‘Giovanni’, who was then 11, spoke no English. He learned the language at boarding school in Saffron Walden and always attributed his determination to succeed in business to his tough, early experiences.

He always remained proud of his Roman roots (he was baptised at St Peter’s in the city) and in the recent past began picking up Italian again.

He first worked for American Express, and as a young man he moved to Bournemouth with Thomas Cook. By the age of 25, he was the youngest manager in the country for Allens Travel.

He decided to branch out in his own and started up John Plank Travel in 1969 – at its peak with six branches, including Westbourne, Broadstone and Poole.

The success of the company was largely built on the force of his personality, and a reputation for unfailing courtesy and personal service.

He sold the business in 1990 and planned to spend more time on the golf course and with his beloved wife Marion.

But in 1993 he was hired by Bath Travel chairman Peter Bath to head up his own company’s business travel division.

It was an offer he could not refuse and he built it into a hugely successful part of the Bath Travel portfolio. The two men had been friends, but also business rivals for years. Using his contacts and business experience he managed to pull in a number of high value contracts.

John was a keen golfer and played to a high level (a handicap of six) with top professionals like Tony Jacklin and Sam Torrance. He was also involved with the Allis-Merlo charity initiatives as well as being an important sponsor of AFC Bournemouth. He would often say that most of his business deals were done on the golf course.

John retired for good in 2009 just as things became exceptionally tough in the travel sector in the wake of the 2008 financial crash.

He lamented the loss of the personal touch in the modern travel world – something that helped him build such a successful business in the first place.

He leaves Marion (the couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last year), daughter Debbie, son-in-law Geoff, grandchildren Charlotte and Ben and great grandchildren Harry and Olivia.

John died at the St Ives House care home in Ringwood last week.

His funeral is on Wednesday at 11am at the Harbour View Burial Ground, Lytchett Minster. Donations to the British Heart Foundation and Dementia Awareness UK.