ERIC Tonge, the man who guided Bolton engineering firm Edbro through the most prosperous period in its history, has died at the age of 96.

According to his family, Mr Tonge remained active until his death, despite being fitted with a pacemaker last year.

His formula for a long life was to "keep mentally and physically active" and he regularly contributed poetry to the Bolton Evening News.

He was also the oldest member of Bolton Golf Club and the oldest living past Captain of Deane Golf Club.

Mr Tonge was the youngest son of Eric Tonge, the company secretary of Hulton Mines.

In the 1930s, the rapidly growing motor industry captured his attention and he established a garage in Over Hulton.

The outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 saw private car use dramatically cut.

He was invited to join Edwards Bros as a works manager and by the end of the war, Edbro was ahead of its rival tipping gear manufacturers in Britain.

Mr Tonge became managing director of the firm following the former MD's death and helped it to grow into one of the world's largest companies in its field.

He put the success down to "team spirit among all the Edbro employees".

The former Bolton School old boy retired in 1974.

His funeral will be held tomorrow at Rivington Parish Church at 10.45am.