PHILIP Knighton, who had a life-long passion for radio and motorcycles, died in Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton on Saturday after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 68.

Philip, who lived in Longforth Road, Wellington, was educated at Richard Huish College before going on to study at Taunton Technical College, now Somerset College of Arts and Technology – where he gained an Ordinary National Diploma in mechanical and electric engineering.

As a teenager he was very much into repairing and re-building motorcycles which he bought from friends – an interest he continued for most of his life.

Another life-long passion – and arguably his biggest – was radio. He worked for the BBC as an engineer and spent two years as a volunteer services overseas radio engineer for the Guatemalan Federation of Radio Schools in South America.

During the following years he continued with his own business in Wellington, The Gramophone Man, for 25 years, and became a presenter on commercial radio at Orchard FM. When this closed he moved on to community radio.

He was instrumental in the setting up of 10 Radio in Wiveliscombe and in 2004 joined Apple AM, which served the patients and staff at Musgrove Park Hospital.

In 2010 Apple AM was converted into a fully fledged FM Community Radio station. He had been Apple FM’s managing director since August, 2014.

During this time his business continued to operate until he was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2012, going into remission on a couple of occasions.

In May, 2015, he was invited to a Royal Garden Party when Apple FM was bestowed the prestigious honour of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service – equal to an MBE.

In September, 2015, he received the Crystal Award from the Lord Lieutenant of Somerset on behalf of Her Majesty in a ceremony held in Somerset County Hall with various dignitaries in attendance.

He was an active member of Wellington Arts Association.

Philip leaves a widow, Vivian, and two grown-up children, Clare and Lizzie, and two step-daughters, Tara and Joe.