THE co-founder of a Preston glass firm which has passed through three generations has died aged 94.

Frank Graham, co-founder of Worthington and Graham Glass, in Great Hanover Street, Preston, died peacefully on Wednesday, February 13.

Mr Graham, who was born in Blackburn in 1907, left school in his early teens and worked in the mills as a spinner.

He met his wife-to-be Elizabeth Ellen Hartley on a blind date. The couple married in 1930 and were together for 60 years until Elizabeth's death in 1990.

In the 1930s the couple moved to Canada where they had their only child, Frank Hartley Graham.

Mr Graham worked for the Canadian arm of Pilkington's Glass, of St Helens, making mirrors.

But homesickness made the couple decide to fly home and Mr Graham secured a job with Bradford Glass Company, in Yorkshire.

There he and work colleague Ernie Worthington decided to set up in business together and launched Worthington and Graham glass company, in Blackpool Road, Preston -- now David Hall's carpets -- in 1946.

The firm moved premises to Blackenbury Road and later to its present site in Deepdale where it manufactures thousands of glass products and employs more than 25 people.

In 1968 Mr Graham retired and his son, also named Frank, took over the business with Mr Worthington's son-in-law. Today ownership has passed to David Graham -- the grandson of the late Frank Graham.

Son Frank said: "The firm has passed through three generations now. My dad was a great man and will be sadly missed."

As well as his son Mr Graham leaves two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His funeral service and cremation will take place at Preston Crematorium today (Thursday) at 11.30am.