A FORMER World Champion stock car racer and self-made East Lancashire business tycoon has been killed in a motorcycle accident in Belgium.

Raymond Tyldesley, 45, was thrown from his machine shortly after leaving a ferry in Zeebrugge on Thursday morning. He was about to begin a touring holiday with friends in Germany.

His heartbroken wife, Rosemary, 38, of Birks Brow, Longridge, said today that she did not know exactly what had happened, but believes a rucksack he was carrying may have come loose and fallen under the wheel.

Mrs Tyldesley, who spent a week holidaying in the South of France with her husband and their six-month-old baby daughter Rebecca last month, said: "I cannot believe it has happened and that he has gone. He was a wonderful husband and a very good man."

Mr Tyldesley, who also has two children, Sarah, 26, and Stuart, 23, from a previous marriage, and a six-month-old granddaughter, Megan, built up his business empire after starting his career as a slaughterhouse apprentice in Whalley. He owned Old English Meats, Preston; Blackburn sausage manufacturers Holroyds and had a part share in Bowland Foods, Great Harwood. His firms have an annual turnover of more than £18million.

He began Old English Meats, which supplies local butchers and bigger chains including Booths and Spar supermarkets, 16 years ago after working as a manager for Great Harwood meat processors E Slinger and Sons.

Mr Tyldesley's brother, Brian, who owns the CS Lounge Suites chain, said: "Rosemary and his children all work for the business and it is a real family concern.

"He loved stock cars and motorcycles and living fast. Some people have said they dreaded this day coming because of it, but that was Raymond and you could not stop him doing what he wanted to do."

Mr Tyldesley, who's father Ernest, lives in Clayton-le-Moors, will also be remembered for his love of stock car racing and for winning the World Championships in 1989.

His friends are making their way back from Belgium, while one of his oldest friends, Ian Holden, is travelling out to escort his body home.

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