ONE of the region's best-known manufacturers, David Price, of Power Plastics Limited, Thirsk, who died suddenly last Thursday will be cremated tomorrow. He was 63.

Cambridge-educated Mr Price founded his company in Leeds, in 1973, but moved operations to Harrogate, then, in 1989, to Station Road, Thirsk, where he and his dedicated team built-up the business to occupy a 20,000 sq ft factory employing 40 people.

Today, Power Plastics has a turnover of £2.5million, making products from plastic materials, ranging from sheeting to cover scaffolding on Big Ben and York Minster during renovations to giant crop fumigation chambers and the swimming pool cover for the Manchester United training ground.

Following restructuring within the company, which saw senior managers taking a 40 per cent shareholding, Mr Price was planning for a retirement of travelling and working on his extensive gardens in Thirsk.

Though he was diagnosed with a brain tumour in January 2003, he continued attending meetings and dealing with business matters up until his death.

He leaves a widow, Diana, and sons Toby and Simon.

Following a private cremation, a service of thanksgiving will be held at St Felix Church, Felixkirk, near Thirsk, at 3pm tomorrow.

Updated: 09:36 Thursday, June 26, 2003