The Black Dyke band will play a moving tribute at the funeral of a Bradford businessman killed during a business trip to America.

Fred Ellis, 54, was driving to Denver airport to catch an internal flight when his car was in collision with another vehicle on Tuesday, June 10.

Mr Ellis, who was marketing director for Buttershaw textile firm Bulmer and Lumb, was being flown back to England today - the day he was set to return from the business trip.

Speaking from the family home in Deanstones Crescent, Queensbury, wife Margaret spoke of the family's loss. "He was just a lovely devoted husband and family man," she said.

The couple celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary in April. Mrs Ellis said her husband travelled extensively in his job.

"He went to America this time every year," she said. "He also travelled out to Germany and India."

A cornet player, he auditioned for the famous Black Dyke band aged 15 and stayed with them for more than 25 years, both as a player and as club secretary.

Mrs Ellis, 52, said the funeral, which has yet to be arranged, will have a strong musical theme. "The former members of the Black Dyke Band that he played with are going to play," she said.

"One of the pieces that Fred is going to come in to the church to is the Queensbury March." Mrs Ellis said the piece is kept for special occasions and will be a great tribute to Fred's memory.

Mr Ellis had two children, Robert, 21, and Sharon, 23. Sharon said the family had received more than 200 cards and 20 floral tributes from friends and family. "The more you listen to people the more you learn things that you might have forgotten. It's comforting that dad was thought of so highly," she said.

Bill Waterhouse, managing director of Bulmer and Lumb said Fred's death will be a loss to the company. "He was a tremendous character. He worked for Bulmer and Lumb for 29 years," he said.

David Guest, long-time family friend and former colleague at John Foster Ltd, where Mr Ellis started his career, said his former colleagues were struggling to come to terms with the news.

"They are all devastated. It's a sad loss of a good life," he said.