Trucking dynasty founder dies at 95

Iconic firm won loads of fans who 'spotted' lorry names

- Giles Sheldrick

FANS have paid tribute after truck tycoon Eddie Stobart died at 95.

The road haulage legend's distinctive fleet of green and red lorries won an army of followers who would collect the vehicles' names painted on the front.

Some motorists would sound their horns to greet Stobart truckers, who flashed lights in response.

One devastated fan wrote online yesterday: "Another end of an iconic era of British business.

"RIP Sir, you gave thousands and thousands of ordinary folk great pleasure collecting your lovely truck names on long journeys through the years."

Another devotee said: "I loved collecting truck names whenever I was on a motorway trip. It is an inspirational company."

Cumbrian-born Eddie had left school at 14 to work on a farm, and started a business in the 1940s. The first Eddie Stobart lorry, in 1960, was a second-hand Guy Invincible four-wheeler.

He had it repainted in what was to become the group's trademark Brunswick Green and Post Office Red, and it delivered fertiliser and other cargo to local farmers.