WIRRAL entrepreneur James Hacking, who served alongside John Moores and Harry Catterick on the board of Everton FC in its heyday, has died.

The family of Mr Hacking, who was known as Jim, last night paid tribute to a “wonderful businessman, sportsman and a marvellous family man”.

Mr Hacking founded his nut snack products business, Sun Valley, in 1949, on Price Street, Birkenhead. With his wife, Gladys, he built a successful firm.

He kept working at Sun Valley’s Bromborough factory in his final months and was chairman until his death, aged 90, on January 23.

Mr and Mrs Hacking had been together for more than 60 years and had five children and eight grandchildren. They were due to celebrate their diamond wedding in May.

Mr Hacking’s daughter, Frances Street, said: "He was the heart and soul of the family and we are going to miss him enormously.

"He was gentle and kind, he was generous, he loved telling jokes and meeting people.”

Mr Hacking moved to the Wirral to found Sun Valley, and had lived in Caldy for several decades.

Mrs Street said: "He started with nothing after the war. He and mum built it up from scratch. He was a self-made man with very humble beginnings. He was a man of the people – modest, with no airs and graces.”

Mr Hacking’s family are planning a celebration of his life, and ask for any donations in his memory to go to St John’s Hospice.