PETER Underhill, a well-respected Ludlow businessman, has died in a skiing accident in France.

Mr Underhill, aged 58, was the owner of DeGrey's restaurant in Ludlow and lived in Knighton-on-Teme. He died last Wednesday in hospital in Geneva after suffering serious head injuries in a fall on the ski slopes at Megéve - an upmarket Alpine ski resort on the slopes of Mont Blanc.

An inquest into Mr Underhill's death was opened and adjourned in Stourport on Tuesday.

Mr Underhill was described by his family as a well-loved, respected gentleman and successful entrepreneur. He was the father of two children, Rachel and Robbie, both married and living away from the area. He was a pupil at Bridgnorth Grammar School before marrying Sue, his childhood sweetheart from Cleobury. The couple had been married for 37 years.

It is understood the whole family were together on holiday in France with friends when the accident happened.

Speaking of his father, Robbie Underhill said: "We know that, in addition to his family, many who knew my father have been devastated to hear of his untimely death. He died whilst skiing, which he loved, and in the company of family and friends whom he also loved. I would just like to encourage all who go skiing to wear a helmet, in the hope that other tragic deaths might be avoided".

Mr Underhill was a chartered accountant and was chairman of the Worcester-based property company Pemberstone Group Ltd and chairman of the Leominster-based building firm Harper Group Ltd.

A funeral service for Mr Underhill will be held at St Laurence's Church, Ludlow, at noon on Thursday, February 8. The family have requested that there be no floral tributes, but that instead donations be made to Headway - the brain injury association - Diabetes UK, or St Michael's Church Knighton-on-Teme.

A former president of the Tenbury Wells Agricultural Society, Mr Underhill is survived by his mother Nina and his brothers Keith and Mark.

Leading Ludlow businessman Phil Maile said: "A man of that stature in Ludlow will be badly missed. In the time he was trading in Ludlow he contributed a tremendous amount."

Ludlow Mayor Graeme Kidd said: "The sympathy of the town council and the town will be with the family and friends and colleagues. It's a great loss to Ludlow. He did a great deal of work for the town and De Greys will be a permanent reminder of his achievements."

DeGrey's Café is one of Ludlow's best-loved tourist features.

It was already a famous landmark at the top of Broad Street when Peter Underhill and his wife Sue bought it around 1998. They formed a managing partnership with Tracy Turner from Newnham Bridge and her partner French chef Jean Bourdeau, who runs the kitchens.

The previous proprietors were the Bennetts, one-time chip shop owners from Presteigne, who ran DeGreys for almost 20 years before retiring.

In 2002 it was boarded up for two weeks as a major renovation took place with care not to alter the restaurant's character.