The former boss of a South Wales car empire, Ken Thorne, has died aged 75.

He died in Cardiff, after returning home from Dubai where he moved following the collapse of his dealership in 2002.

At the time Ken Thorne Group had the ChryslerJeep, Subaru, Daihatsu and Kia franchises at four showrooms. He also had two World of Cars superstores.

The company collapsed when it failed to secure financial backing after a downturn in sales led to a serious cash flow problem and Barclays Bank refused to up its lending.

The tycoon, who was born in Grangetown, Cardiff, was also twice world powerboat champion and sponsored both Cardiff City football club and the Cardiff Devils ice hockey team, according to Wales Online.