THE owner of a long-standing former business in Ulverston - which operated for nearly 100 years - has died.

Tributes have been paid to Denis Rogers who died peacefully at home after a short illness surrounded by his loving family.

Mr Rogers was a member of the third generation of his family to own the the long-established Ulverston grocers Rogers and Tysons, which closed in January 1998 after 96 years in the family.

Supermarket competition, changing shopping habits and town centre car parking charges were among reasons for the end of trading at the traditional shop on the corner of Market Street and Brogden Street.

One of its most popular products was Waberthwaite Cumberland sausage, selling 180lbs per week.

Mr Rogers was born in the Cottage hospital in 1943 the eldest of twins and spent his early years living at 2 Meeting House Lane surrounded by fields and farmland, which is probably where he got his love for the outdoors, said his eldest son John.

Mr Rogers was happily married to Carol for 52 years and had two sons John and Robert, a loving daughter in-law Helen and two grandchildren Henry and Holly who he adored.

Mr Rogers attended Ulverston Grammar school and enjoyed the technical subjects as well as the academic ones but was destined to work in the well-known family business Rogers and Tysons.

When Mr Rogers’ dad died young, he took over the family business working alongside his sister Elaine up to 1998 when a once in a lifetime offer to sell the property led to a well-deserved early retirement.

His son, John, described his dad as 'exceptionally hard-working' and a real family man.

He said: "The family have fond memories of the shop. It was hard work but worth it for the great customer base that they built up.

"Myself and my brother Robert remember spending our summer holiday unloading wagons, delivering groceries around town on the two wheeled sack truck or being thrown around in the back of various delivery vans.

"When he wasn’t on the farm, he would be down his allotment or playing a variety of sports including badminton, tennis, bowls, and golf. He was a member of Ulverston Golf Club for 68 years.

"He was kind, helpful and selfless - a true gent which he most certainly was.

"He managed to relive his life with his grandchildren and loved playing with the kids as much as he could.

"He was kind, selfless and loving - we couldn't have asked for anyone better.

"He'll leave a legacy of being a true gent in every way."