GRIEVING friends came together to say a final goodbye to a lady whose family could not attend her funeral because they live abroad.

Popular Dora Hargreaves died last week at the Fir Grove home for the elderly, Todmorden Road, Burnley, aged 85.

Her only living relatives are her son, Keith, and his family, who live in South Africa, and they could not get over for the funeral.

But friends and neighbours from the Gill Street area, where Mrs Hargreaves used to live, were determined that she should have a dignified funeral.

They attended the ceremony at Burnley crematorium on Monday.

Nellie Walker, a friend of Mrs Hargreaves for 50 years, told the Citizen: "I found it very touching that people were prepared to do something like this.

"I think people's reaction in this case showed one of the better aspects of human nature.

"Everyone felt so sad that Dora would have no family at her funeral.

"Her friends wanted to make sure that she had a proper funeral. It would have been awful to think that she could not have a proper send off.

"Many people are sending floral tributes and at least six cars will be taking people to the crematorium."

Mrs Hargreaves was born and bred in Burnley. She worked as a weaver and then as a baker at a bakery on Clifton Street in the town.

Her late husband, Harry, was a driver for Ribble buses for many years.

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