A HORSE-drawn Victorian hearse was today taking retired dairy farmer and milkman Brian Townsend on his final journey.

Traffic in Great Harwood was expected to be brought to a standstill by the funeral cortege.

Mr Townsend, 61, started work on a milk round when he was 14, delivering by horse and cart in Altham.

His widow, Mrs Norma Townsend said: "He always loved horses."

Mr Townsend suffered a severe stroke at his home in Fielding Lane, Great Harwood, two weeks ago and died in Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, on Monday after suffering a further stroke.

His daughter, Christine Dixon, of Great Harwood, said: "He was a big man with a big heart and a lovely sense of humour.

As a young man, Mr Townsend worked at Calderbank and Huncoat Pits, but always had two jobs, continuing to work at local farms. In his late 20s he and Norma had a smallholding in Martholme Lane, Great Harwood, before moving to Norden Farm, Rishton, in 1975.

During their time at Rishton they operated a large milk round in Blackburn, where Mr Townsend was a popular personality in the Brookhouse, Audley and Johnston Street areas.

He was also a well-known figure at Gisburn, Haslingden and Skipton markets.

They retired in 1990, moving Great Harwood.

Mr Townsend leaves four other grown-up children, Barry Townsend, Pam Kimberley and Thomas Townsend, who live in Great Harwood, and Tricia Sommerville, who lives in Wilpshire.

Floral tributes at the funeral included a milk crate full of flowers from his eight brothers and sisters, and a milk bottle tribute from his 12 grandchildren.

Mr Townsend was a member of St Wulstan's Church, Great Harwood, where Requiem Mass was to be held before burial at Great Harwood cemetery.

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