A prominent York businessman, who helped build up the biggest scaffold and plant hire company in North Yorkshire, has died.

John Riley, who was known for his work with HB Raylor & Co, of James Street, York, died in St Leonard's Hospice. He was 82.

Mr Riley began his working life in 1945 as an accountant, practising with Harry Raylor in a small room in Lawrence Street.

Their initial plan was to sell scaffolding, but the firm soon grew into a thriving scaffolding, plant and building tools supply company, with Mr Riley credited as being the financial brains behind the business.

In the early days, Mr Riley had to go to work in his army uniform because he was so tall - at 6ft 4in - and because of rationing, he had no civvy clothes suitable for work.

The company became known as HB Raylor & Co Ltd and soon grew to employ more than 750 people by the early 1970s, becoming recognised as the biggest scaffold and plant hire company in North Yorkshire.

Mr Riley was company secretary when he retired in 1983 and the firm's James Street premises have since become known as the Raylor Centre.

He leaves a widow, Joan, and a son and daughter, John and Suzanne.

Updated: 16:21 Friday, July 27, 2001