THE man who established the RAC's first 24-hour emergency breakdown service has died aged 93.

Aubrey Thompson worked at a call centre in Croydon for ten years during the seventies.

In all he spent 31 years working for the RAC and was responsible for the introduction of its radio rescue service, a system which now helps millions of people each year.

Prior to the introduction of the radio service, breakdown patrols would stand by RAC telephone boxes at predetermined times in order to receive instructions.

But in 1957, Mr Thompson was appointed to set up and manage the RAC's 24-hour emergency breakdown service for London and the Home Counties.

His role as radio communications manager was to coordinate all emergency staff and breakdown patrols.

The centre's first office was housed in the basement of the RAC headquarters in Pall Mall.

But in 1971 it moved to Walpole Road, Croydon, a move which suited Mr Thompson well.

There he spent ten years, explained his son Clive Thompson, doing what he loved best.

Clive said: "His time in Croydon were his golden years.

"With a car supplied by the RAC and a brief to develop the radio network as he saw fit, he travelled the length and breadth of the country looking for sites for radio masts.

"The job bought him into contact with wealthy landowners, farmers and corporate organisations.

"He was probably the best travelled and most well known of the RAC's head office staff."

Mr Thompson retired from the RAC in 1982.

That year he became treasurer of the Crystal Palace Foundation, and became a popular figure in and around Anerley. Mr Thompson died on May 10 and his funeral was held at Beckenham Crematorium on May 27.