A COUNTY Durham HGV driver was given a fitting send-off when his funeral took place.

Former colleagues paid tribute to Alan Sirrell by turning a wagon he used to drive into the hearse which took take him on his final journey.

Mr Sirrell, of Cleveland View, Ferryhill, was a lifelong trucker and spent the last six years working for Sedgefield-based Ray Craggs Ltd.

Despite battling terminal cancer, Mr Sirrell continued to work for the company until just a few weeks before his death.

The wagon led the funeral procession from Mr Sirrell's home to Ferryhill Methodist Chapel, where the service was held prior to his committal at Durham Crematorium.

Mr Craggs said staff had worked through the weekend to get the unusual hearse ready for the funeral and everyone involved was really pleased with the results of their efforts.

“Alan worked for us for six years and was one of the nicest men you could ever meet,” he said.

“He was just one of those people you took to – he never let you down and he was never late.

“He was such a genuine fellow and that's why we did what we did for his funeral,” added Mr Craggs.

“I don't think there will have been anything like this before.

“We were at it all weekend. It is quite an old lorry – Y-reg – and he used to drive that wagon at one time.”

Family friend Neil Fisher said Mr Sirrell had been diagnosed with cancer two years ago, but had kept news of the condition to himself and continued to work until shortly before his death, on May 17.

Mr Sirrell, a grandfather and great-grandfather, is survived by Margaret, his wife of 46 years, son Alan and daughter Natalie.