THE well-known Oxfordshire motor trader Des Atherton has died, aged 88.

Digger, as he was affectionately known, passed away peacefully last Thursday, after being admitted to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

He was married at St Frideswide’s Church, in Botley Road, Oxford, in 1941, where his funeral will be held next week, on a day to be fixed.

Digger was immensely proud to have been part of Oxford’s motor trade since the Second World War.

After serving his mechanical apprenticeship at Hartwells, in Park End Street, he then served in the RAF.

In the late 1950s and early 1960s he had ran a taxi and repairs business in Gloucester Green.

He will be remembered by many for his years at Kings Motors, in Park End Street, where he became prominent with the introduction of Reliant cars.

He was always quick to point out that the firm not only produced little three-wheelers but also had a sideline in sports cars.

For the last 20 years of his career he was with St Helen’s Garage in Abingdon, then a Vauxhall dealer, where he became very well known locally. He became the face of the garage, sponsoring local events and school fetes, and would always take time to visit old customers when they were not well.

Away from work, he was a keen footballer, playing on the right wing for many years for Woodstock Town and Oxford City and only hanging up his boots at the age of 50.

He still enjoyed watching televised matches and had ben looking forward to the World Cup finals.

In the 1960s, he also played darts to a high standard, reaching the national News Of The World competition final one year.

Since 1970, he had lived in Wootton, near Abingdon, close to many of his relatives.

Mr Atherton was proud of his Australian roots and twice travelled to the country to visit relatives there.

His father Bramwell had moved to Britain from Australia at the end of the First World War and settled in Woodstock.

Mr Atherton leaves his wife Nellie, three sons, six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.