BREWERY bosses have offered one off their dray horses for the funeral cortege of a former driver.

Keith Crossley, 61, of Wilson Street, Blackburn, was employed by Daniel Thwaites for 20 years.

The firm has also given the go-ahead for the cortege to tour the firm's Blackburn works so that the popular driver's former chums can pay their last respects.

Keith, who was born and brought up in Rishton, drove lorries all his life. He worked for Ribble Motor Services and Bradley Transport before being employed at Thwaites for more than 20 years.

He met his wife, Kathleen, while driving for Ribble. She was a conductress and the couple were married at Blackburn Cathedral after a whirlwind romance.

Popular Keith retired from Thwaites three years ago because of ill health. He had been appointed despatch supervisor.

The funeral will be at Pleasington on Wednesday, after a service in Blackburn Cathedral at 1.15 pm.

The funeral cortege, will process through the Thwaites works en route to the cathedral.

Keith is survived by his wife, children Julie, Jacqueline and Keith, and seven grandchildren.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.