A TEXTILE industrialist was working up until three weeks before his death at the age of 90.

Mr Arthur Hargreaves, of Stanhill, Oswaldtwistle, was president of the East Lancashire-based multi-national textile manufacturers, Hilden Enfield Group.

He died in Beardwood Hospital, Blackburn, after suffering a series of strokes.

Mr Hargreaves joined the family business as an 18-year-old trainee in 1925 after being educated at Giggleswick School, near Settle.

After becoming managing director in 1940, he guided the company through slumps and difficult times.

He was in charge of the company as it grew from a single mill in Oswaldtwistle to an international group with subsidiaries in America, Denmark and France, employing 550 staff. He also introduced a revolutionary weaving technique in 1952. In 1987 he became chairman and was appointed group president in 1995. He was a committee member of Blackburn and District Textile Manfacturers Association for many years.

Mr Hargreaves lived in Oswaldtwistle most of his life and was married to Phyllis, who died 10 years ago. He was a keen gardener and supplied plants and hanging baskets for the annual Stanhill village fete.

His two sons are both in the family business. John Hargreaves is the group commercial director and Peter Hargreaves is retail director.

John Hargreaves said: "He would come in for a few hours each day and was still working three weeks ago. He liked to keep himself busy since my mother died."

He leaves two sons and a daughter, Jane, as well as eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

The funeral takes place at Immanuel Church, Oswaldtwistle, tomorrow.

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