Home building tycoon Sir Lawrie Barratt dies aged 85
Entrepreneur Sir Lawrie Barratt has died at his home in Northumberland, aged 85.
Sir Lawrie founded Barratt Developments, which now employs more than 4,000 people. He was knighted in 1982.
The businessman, who lived in Corbridge with his wife, trained as an accountant after leaving school.
Barratt chief executive Mark Clare said "hundreds of thousands" of people lived in homes that had been inspired by him.
"He had the vision to understand how deeply rooted the desire for home ownership is within this country and he then set out to meet that aspiration by designing and building high-quality, affordable homes," Mr Clare said.
Two years ago Sir Lawrie and his wife were tied up in their own home by raiders who bound and gagged the couple before making off with expensive jewellery.