A co-founder of the national Dunnington-based Costcutter has died suddenly at the age of 56.

Mother-of-three Julia Graves was one of five directors at the independent retail operation which she set up with her former husband, Colin, the managing director and chairman, who is also chief executive of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

A company spokesman said Julia collapsed during a meeting at the group's offices on Tuesday.

Angela Barber, the group's trading and marketing director, told the Evening Press: "Julia will be greatly missed by all those who had the pleasure of working with her.

"An extremely popular lady, she had many friends not just in the York area, but all over the country. Julia was a well-known and highly respected figure in the local community."

She added: "All Julia's immediate family worked with her at Costcutter head offices in Dunnington, and the thoughts and best wishes of the directors and staff are with Colin, her children Gill, Ian, Anna and her grandchildren at this very sad time."

Her three children also work at the company's head office.

Company spokesman Graham Hey said the mood at the head office in Dunnington had been "very sombre" as many employees were also good friends with the family.

"Everyone was very shaken by the news," he said.

As the personnel and administration director, Julia was one of five company bosses, including Nick Ivel, finance and IT director, David Thompson, sales and development director, and Angela Barber.

Mr Hey said: "She was very popular, always chirpy and almost like the public face of Costcutter because she organised the conventions and functions.

"She knew everyone and had been in the business for years. She was very well liked and a lot of people are very upset."

York coroner Donald Coverdale was informed, as is usual with sudden deaths. But a spokeswoman said a post mortem examination had revealed that Julia died of natural causes. Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

Costcutter's head office is at Harvest Mills in Dunnington, York.

It now has 1,200 stores in the UK and has 65 stores in Southern Ireland and a further 52 in Poland.

Updated: 10:06 Friday, December 02, 2005