One of the former owners of a well-known Isle of Wight garage has died, aged 90.

John Hodge, from Bembridge, used to run Hodge and Childs alongside his brother, Alan, who died earlier this year.

The pair took over the business in 1962 following the retirement of their parents, Ethel and Ralph.

Born in 1933, John attended Bembridge Primary, Sandown Grammar, Oxford University and Loughborough College of Engineering.

Read more: Former garage proprietor and Bembridge man Alan Hodge has died aged 89

He nearly became a professional student but was called up for national service with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Motor cars were always of great interest to John and he particularly loved his Singer Le Mans and his Peugeot 404 Cabriolet.

After marrying Judy in 1960, the couple moved to Shropshire where John took his first job with a Ford main dealer in Shrewsbury.

Two years later, John returned to the Island to take over the garage, which he jointly ran for 45 years.

Outside of business, John was actively involved in the local community and was chairman of Bembridge Festival, now the street fair.

He was also a governor at Sandown High School, Forelands Middle School and Abbeyfield Bembridge, and was also warden of Holy Trinity Church.

John loved France, visiting the country on a numerous occasions. He was honoured to become chair of the Bembridge Twinning Association, with its link to Pledran in Brittany.

He also enjoyed painting, walking, growing vegetables, sailing, reading, bowls, and listening to music.

He was also a member of the IW Car Club and competed in rallies all over the country.

In November 2020, John suffered a stroke and his health declined.

He died in his sleep at St Mary’s Hospital on July 7.

He leaves behind his wife Judy, two daughters Jackie and Carolyn and four grandchildren, Jess and Alex, James and Claudia.

His family say he will be greatly missed.

John's funeral will take place at the Isle of Wight Crematorium on August 7 at 12.45pm, followed by a reception at The Birdham Hotel, Bembridge from 2pm.