The managing director of one of Shropshire’s biggest car dealerships has died after a battle with cancer. Les Garlick had been with the firm 26 years.

Bosses at the William A Lewis dealership said it was the “end of an era” after his death last night.

Director David Smith said Mr Garlick had achieved a great deal in his 26 years with the company, which has four franchises in Shrewsbury and Telford for Volvo, Renault, Nissan and Toyota.

He said he would be sadly missed by colleagues.

Mr Garlick, of Rodington, near Shrewsbury, is survived by his wife and two grown-up children.

He had been suffering from cancer for some time but had continued to work up until last month.

Mr Smith said: “He was an extremely loyal, capable member of the management team and was an inspiration to all staff and colleagues and he will be sadly missed by all the people who have worked with him in the business over the years.

“Les’s passing will be the end of an era for William A Lewis car group. He had been ill for several months but he had been working right up until the end of April.”

Mr Garlick, who was in his 50s, was appointed general manager for Volvo in February 1983 before becoming group chief executive of the company’s dealership in 1987. He was appointed managing director of William A Lewis Cars Ltd on February 14, 1994.

He oversaw massive capital expansion plans which in 2002 and 2003 saw the opening of Toyota and Nissan dealerships in Shrewsbury and Telford. The dealership is one of the oldest and largest in Shropshire.

More recently he had to announced the loss of 45 jobs and closure of a showroom as the recession took its toll.