A MAN whose woodworking skills led to him founding a successful Milnthorpe business which still flourishes today has passed away peacefully at the age of 94.

John Houghton’s company eventually becoming a market leader in the design and construction of livestock containers and Houghtons Parkhouse, as it is now known, remains a major employer in the area.

Born in Billington near Whalley, Lancashire, Mr Houghton served his carpentry apprenticeship in Beetham and met his future wife Bertha at a dance at Levens Village Hall, and often cycled the many miles from his home in the Ribble Valley to see her at weekends.

During World War Two, his woodworking expertise was utilised for repair work in the mines around Manchester, and after the conflict the newly married Mr Houghton set up his business, eventually locating it by the family’s home in Milnthorpe, where it continued to expand.

After repairing a wooden horse box, Mr Houghton decided to begin designing and constructing livestock trailers, which proved a master stroke as the firm, which became a true family concern with son Michael working alongside his father, went on to win multiple industry awards.

But Mr Houghton, who moved with his family to Bolton-le-Sands in 1975, had many interests outside work, travelling all over the world with his wife until her death in 2006, and he continued to enjoy holidays overseas even when he was into his nineties.

He used his skills as a photographer to take shots which he then used in film shows which raised money for charity, and he was also a keen gardener.

An active fundraiser, Mr Houghton was a member of Belal Lodge; Windermere Chapter and Belaside Lodge of Mark Masons, of which he was a founder member.

Mr Houghton continued to be active in his later years, becoming a regular at the charity coffee mornings at Bolton-le-Sands Community Centre.

A devoted and loving family man, he is survived by his three children Pauline, Kathryn and Michael, nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.