Up to £2 million was donated to good causes each year through his Clive and Sylvia Richards Charity, with schools and education one of the key groups he supported.

For John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye, he supported the 1,400-pupil school over the years, including with its new mathematics centre of excellence in 2015.

Headteacher Nigel Griffiths said Mr Richards was a friend and mentor who he hugely respected.

Mr Griffiths said Mr Richards, who lived in Ullingswick near Bromyard, was “incredibly generous” to the school as well as many others locally and nationally.

OTHER NEWS:

• The Grand Tour's Richard Hammond to host new TV show – here's what it's about
• Sylvia Richards: Clive lived his life to the absolute fullest
• Hereford cancer survivor tells of sleepless nights after finding new lump

He added: “Clive was an avid follower of sports, including rugby and cricket. Whenever he had spare tickets for an event, we were always able to provide students or staff to accept these. On a personal level, Clive was a friend and a mentor. I respected him hugely. This is a very sad loss.”

For another county secondary school, Mr Richards supported leaders when they wanted to build a vocational centre.

Headteacher at Bromyard’s Queen Elizabeth High School Martin Farmer said everyone at the school was “greatly saddened” to hear of Mr Richards’s death, saying he was a gentleman the school was “very fortunate to know and consider a good friend”.

“With Sylvia by his side, Clive always looked to give back to his local community with a particular fondness for education, and we were fortunate to benefit from their generosity when we approached Clive, Sylvia and their trustees to develop our vocational centre, without their support the project would not have come to fruition and for their help we will remain forever grateful,” he said.

OTHER NEWS:

• Drivers face 50-mile diversion as Herefordshire main road shuts
• Herefordshire farmer banned from keeping animals for life
• Revealed: the huge cost of missed appointments at Herefordshire's hospitals

The school, in Panniers Lane, is now planning a small seating area overlooking the Lower Hope Estate, where Mr Richards lived.

Also in Bromyard, the Conquest Theatre’s chairman Sarah Handley thanked him for 30 years of help, guidance and support when she paid tribute to him.

After supporting them “wholeheartedly” to build the 150-seat theatre, he and his wife had been “wonderful friends and supporters” of the Conquest, continuing to to take a keen interest.

She said: “His sudden and untimely death means that we have lost a true friend and mentor. He will be sorely missed by everyone at the Conquest and our heartfelt sympathies go out to Sylvia and his family at this sad time.”

Sue Gaston, headteacher at Fairfield High School in Peterchurch, said Mr Richards was a “wise, funny and generous with his time”, always willing to offer his “huge and varied experience” on business matters and encouragement to both staff and pupils.

She said his passion and commitment could not be underestimated, saying he will be missed very much and sending her warmest thoughts to Sylvia and the family.