The funeral of an estate agent who founded his own family firm and worked in it up until his death takes place today.

The business itself will be closed today as a mark of respect and remembrance to Brian Start, who has died aged 76.

Brian set up his firm in 1977, Start & Co, with wife Marilyn.

The business, in Newquay, Cornwall, is a family concern with sons Bradley and Jonathon helping the business thrive.

Bradley said that his father thought retirement was for old people.

He said his father had been a passionate and generous supporter of many charities, conducting annual auctions for good causes such as children’s cancer charity CLIC and the RNLI.

His last charity auction was less than two months ago, on November 25.

Meanwhile, the death from cancer of Nick Hole-Jones, a director of Hamptons International in its prime and country house department, has been announced.

He died on News Year’s Eve.