Thousands expected at funeral of Yorkshire millionaire

His family has invited 1,000 people to the service at noon on Monday and up 3,000 more are expected to attend.

Mr Heselden, a lifelong Leeds United supporter and a prominent supporter of local charities, was well known and respected across the city and beyond.

The funeral service for the multi-millionaire former miner will be held at his business premises, the Hesco Bastion factory at the Cross Green Industrial Estate in Leeds.

Marquees are being set up for those attending, expected to include members of the armed forces. Countless soldiers benefited from the "blast wall" invention which made his fortune.

The service will be followed by a private family burial in Garforth, Leeds.

"All who knew Jimi and his work for the community he loved are welcome as well as those who simply wish to come and pay their respects," said a spokesman for the company organising the service.

For those unable to attend, the funeral cortege will make its way through Halton Moor – where Mr Heselden grew up – and will stop outside the Halton Moor Social Club at around 1.30pm.

The spokesman added: "Rather than floral tributes, the family has requested that donations are made to the charities Jimi supported, Leeds Community Foundation and Help for Heroes."

Mr Heselden, a married father of five, died aged 62 on Sunday September 26 in a freak accident near his home at Boston Spa, near Wetherby.

He died from multiple injuries after falling around 40ft from a path close to the River Wharfe while out riding a Segway two-wheeled scooter made by his own company.

Mr Heselden made his fortune when his firm Hesco Bastion developed the "blast wall" basket, which has played a key role in protecting soldiers in Afghanistan and Iraq as a replacement for traditional sandbags.

Last year he led a British team which bought the Segway company, which is based in the United States and makes the two-wheeled scooters.

Mr Heselden was reported to have been worth 166m.