One of Bradford's best-known bosses has talked of his 'rags to riches' life as he prepares to hand over the reins of the business to new blood.

John Mountain, 67, was born into an impoverished family on the city's Bierley council estate and now lives a comfortable lifestyle in a village on the outskirts of York.

He has been the boss of Bradford City Car Auction - believed to be the area's biggest car auction - for more than 30 years and is now retiring and passing on the control of the business to former colleague Damon Waite, 33, and his business partner Simon Webb, 37.

They now plan to expand the business by selling more quality used cars from the Midland Road base and rename the company Bradford City Motor Auction.

Mr Mountain was 22 when he took over his father's credit drapery business which had shops in Wakefield Road and at Bierley. He sold the firm to Great Universal Stores and later set up a firm dealing in car and property sales in Leeds Road in 1963.

Five years later, he started the firm he is now about to leave.

"I have worked very hard for everything I now have. I believe that if you want to succeed in life you have to work hard," he said.

"In its heyday, the firm shifted 100 cars an auction but the figure is nothing like that today. We were also the biggest used car motorcycle auction in the 1970s when we have 150 motorcycles to sell.

"On bank holidays we used to hold auctions of vintage and veteran bikes and cars and once did a motorcycle exhibition with 83 stands which featured Eddie Kidd."

He also used his business experience to expand a firm called Roofing Supplies Northern which at one time had bases in Newcastle, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham and Bradford.

Mr Mountain is a keen yachtsman and for many years sailed in various parts of the world but no longer has a boat of his own.

"Now I am retiring, I want to learn about computers and surf the Net, take a cookery course and do a bit more sailing," he added.

Damon Waite added: "When I worked here it was for 18 months which were very successful. Now we are planning to sell more quality used cars and provide improved customer service."

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