One of Southport's most recognisable driving instructors has been fondly remembered after his death last month.
Pete Dodd would often be seen driving around Southport in his BMW with 'Pete Dodd L' proudly displayed on the roof. Pete was unfortunately forced into retirement following a trip to the doctors in December though.
The dad-of-three was given the news he had motor neurone disease and little did he know he had just months to live before dying on March 18 this year. Following the heart-breaking news, that has rocked people across the town, dozens are expected to gather on Southport beach to remember one of Merseyside's more iconic characters as learners from down the years pay their respects to the man that got them on the road.
READ MORE: Baby faced ASBO yobs who became big time drug dealers
Known for his "straight to the point" teaching and throwing people in at the deep ends, he would often rejoice to his daughters about the number of walls his students would crash into and tell tales of what dubious situations they would get him into. His eldest daughter, Sasha Dylan, has spoken to the ECHO about the amazing feeling she has that so many people want to pay tribute to the well-known teacher.
The 35-year-old teacher admitted the death was a shock as they had been "in the pub playing with the kids" just weeks before his death. She said: "It was really, really sad. We weren't expecting it. We were out in the pub having fun in November with the kids in the playground and then all of a sudden he got poorly. Motor neurone disease is horrible."
Speaking about all the lovely messages and memories that have flooded her phone, she said: "It's lovely, especially because he's lived in Southport all his life. He used to run the VHS video shop in the 90s. It's been lovely and loads of people have been in touch saying how they remember him and how supportive he would be.
"It's just lovely to hear all the nice stories. He used to tell us all about the people he would teach. He'd always be like 'we crashed into three walls this week' and 'I've had them all going through McDonald's drive-thru this week' teaching them the life skills!
"He was everyone's agony aunt because he was always calm and cool"
Former learner Liam Gill has now arranged a meet-up this weekend to remember Pete. The 19-year-old technician remembers him fondly with him only passing with Pete two years ago. He told the ECHO: "I'm big into my cars and I wouldn't be where I am without him. It's a final get together.
"Come down in your cars, park up, stick your L plates on if you still have them and it's like on big send off that everyone would like to do and hopefully he would be happy with it as well."
People are invited to head down to Southport beach on Sunday, May 1 at 7.30pm to remember Pete.
