MEMBERS of the Red Rose marching band turned out to give popular Longridge man Bob Hayhurst a very special send-off.

The musical tribute was Bob's own idea. He told his widow, Hazel, that when he died he wanted 'a celebration' of his life.

Mrs Hayhurst, 65, of Jeffrey Avenue, Longridge, said: "The idea came one time many years ago when we were watching Longridge carnival and Bob saw the band, turned to me and said 'When I go I want a celebration, I don't want mourners.'"

And go out in style he did, with seven members of the Red Rose Band -- Bob's favourite -- dressed smartly in black and grey, leading the funeral procession to the sound of New Orleans jazz.

Workers stopped what they were doing and watched from shop doorways and passers-by paused in the street to pay their respects as the procession wound its way from Jeffrey Avenue and down Bury Lane.

The band came to a halt on the Stonebridge roundabout and played 'When The Saints Go Marching In' as the cortege continued on to Preston Crematorium. Bob, 65 when he died, was a popular figure in the village and had had a varied career. Before retiring he worked as a coalman in Blackburn, a landscape gardener and dairy worker in Longridge and a steward at Ribchester Working Mens' Club.

Mrs Hayhurst said: "Once seen he was never forgotten. I have been down to the village this week and everybody has had a tale to tell about him. He will be a hard act to follow and I will miss him terribly."

Local lollipop lady Irene Reid, who watched the funeral procession, said: "He always loved this band. They played every year at the carnival. He was a lively, jolly man and he'd be really pleased that everyone in the street had heard him pass by.

"As one of his relatives said to me, he would have loved this."

Bob leaves four children, two boys and two girls, and 10 grandchildren. He died after suffering from serious heart and lung problems.