Saga Holidays founder Sidney de Haan dies

Sidney De Haan, the hotelier who founded the Saga Group, a travel agent specifically for older people, has died aged 83.

Mr de Haan set up Saga Holidays in 1951 after realising that people over 50 who could not afford a holiday during summer could help him to fill his hotel in Folkestone, Kent, during the winter.

He promoted his package deals to Darby and Joan clubs in Yorkshire and Co Durham and the initial success persuaded him to expand his business through the 1960s and 1970s throughout Britain and Europe. It is now worth £185m.

Mr de Haan leaves behind his sons David, Roger, who succeeded him as chairman in 1984, and Peter, as well as a number of grandchildren.