The death of a Helston garage owner has left family and friends “stunned” this week.

Ian Dean, owner of the Castle Green Garage and hire car service, as well as Helston Classic Car Hire, died on Monday last week following a short illness. He was aged just 51.

This week the father-of-two was described as a “gentle gentleman,” who was well respected.

His family and staff have now vowed to keep the garage going, despite Mr Dean's untimely passing.

It will be run by his wife Louise and managed on her behalf by Mick Timpson, who had been overseeing the business during Mr Dean's illness after working there when it was still Merlin Garage.

Mr Timpson said: “We're continuing because there are several livelihoods depending on this place.”

Robert Boulden has been there for 25 years, with Gary Rogers the other mechanic there.

Mr Timpson said that while the garage and car hire businesses would continue, no decision had been made yet about the classic car side.

However, any bookings already made - which continue up to September - would be honoured, he confirmed.

Mr Timpson described Mr Dean as a “well respected local businessman,” adding: “He was a gentle gentleman - very well mannered and very kind to all customers. We were stunned, absolutely stunned [by his death].

“He was well respected amongst the business community and his polite and pleasant manner will be sadly missed by all.”

Mr Dean came to Cornwall at the age of six, living in Mullion where his parents ran the Treasure Box. He attended Truro School and moved to Helston as a teenager.

Upon leaving school he worked for Taylors car garage in Penzance before setting up his own business, a taxi company called Dean Cab Taxis. He took on the Castle Green Garage 25 years ago.

He leaves his wife Louise and two sons, 15-year-old James and 13-year-old Andrew.

Louise, who said cars and mechanics had always been a passion for her husband, added: “He was a wonderful husband and dad.”

Mr Dean's funeral will take place at Treswithian Downs Crematorium in Camborne tomorrow, Thursday (May 10) at 10am, with Pendles Funeral Services as funeral directors.