BUSINESSMAN Les Barnett, owner of the Kent Satellite and Island Aerials and the Bait and Tackle Shop in Sheerness High Street, has died in the Wisdom Hospice at Rochester after a short illness. He was 52.

Mr Barnett, of Queenborough Road, Halfway, Sheerness, leaves a widow, Gloria, and two children, daughter Charlie, 13, and six-year-old son Bobby.

Mr Barnett took over Sheppey Aerials from his father, John, in 1978. Six years later he met Bill Hutson, who had earlier imported and installed a large satellite dish, and they became firm friends.

They recognised that eventually the future of broadcasting would lie with satellites. So in 1985, when Mr Barnett opened his bait and tackle shop in Oxford Arcade, Sheerness, he devoted a small corner to promote them.

Soon that side of the business outgrew its corner and, as Kent Satellite and Island Aerials, moved to its own premises in Sheerness Broadway.

Five years later the two interests came together again at the current premises. By 2000, with 20,000 dishes and aerials being installed each month, there were 54 vans operating from Sheerness, so a large warehouse in Aylesford was leased and turned into an installation centre.

Mr Barnett was also a keen angler and often took part in Sheppey competitions. His widow said the business would go on trading.

The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 14, at Holy Trinity Church, Sheerness, at 1.30pm, followed by cremation at Vinters Park.