Gloucestershire's building and construction community has reacted with sadness to the death of respected Wotton-under-Edge businessman Vernon Jotcham.

Retiring from working life just two years ago, Vernon, 91, expanded on a family construction company based in Wotton that began trading in 1812, developing it into a countywide brand.

As well as launching a thriving DIY and building supplies offshoot in the town, he was a founder of the town's Recreational Trust charity, which facilitated many local landmark infrastructure achievements.

Nicola Maunton, daughter, said: "J&K, as it was known, became a successful business and in its heyday employed more than 50 people. Dad's knowledge of the building industry, plus my mother Dierdre's expertise and openness to work with new technology made them pioneers in specialised software for the industry. My mother did all the programming and introduced computers for the admin staff, making working much more efficient. Dad, however, managed to avoid using a computer during his working life, leaving that to mum!"

In 1987, J&K celebrated 175 years of trade, J&K Ltd being sold to J&S Seddon in 1999 – although Vernon continued until 2021 to work as director of Oakleaze Holdings, J&K's property development and management arm.

Jeff Walshe, of Wotton Heritage Centre said, "Vernon will always stand as a pillar of Wotton's long history in that he made a real difference to this town. He leaves a legacy of lasting value to the community.

A memorial service was held at St Mary's Church, Wotton, on February 17, the event being also in memory of Vernon's wife, Dierdre, who died during the pandemic in 2021. They leave three children, Nicola, Andrew and Katherine.