WORCESTERSHIRE County Council has joined in with the tributes to businessman and philanthropist Cecil Duckworth, who has died aged 83.

Mr Duckworth's long association with Worcestershire began when he moved to the county in 1958.

Just four years after moving, he founded the Worcester Engineering Company (now Worcester Bosch) and helped to invent the combi-boiler.

He then sold the engineering company to Bosch in 1992, and Worcester Bosch continued its expansion to become one of the county's major manufacturing success stories and major employers.

Councillor Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy and infrastructure, said: “Cecil Duckworth made a huge contribution to both the city of Worcester and our wider county.

"Worcester Bosch remains one of our major employers to this day and the impact that Cecil’s original company has gone on to have on our local economy cannot be overestimated.

"The founding of the Worcester Engineering Company was a landmark moment. It gave us great foundations and we continue building our county as a great place to live, learn and work.”

Cllr Bob Brookes, chairman of Worcestershire County Council said: "I was very sad to hear of the death of Cecil Duckworth - he was a gentleman who did so much for the city of Worcester, not just for Worcester Warriors and Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

"He also did a lot for so many charities - he was a true ambassador for Worcestershire and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and condolences as a Council go out to his family and friends.

"As an engineer, I can appreciate his genius that completely changed the way central heating and hot water boilers work.

"It revolutionised house building. I hope his successful career will inspire a new generation of young engineers and innovators to create other new products."