A MUCH-LOVED family man was driven to his final resting place yesterday -in a Morris Minor Traveller.

Tom Roy, 78, arrived in the classic car at his funeral at St Botolph's Church, Carlton-in-Cleveland, North Yorkshire.

Mr Roy, who died on December 5, was a founder of the successful Morris Minor restoration and parts business Tom Roy, gaining a reputation for his honesty, reliability and technical expertise.

Before that, he was a partner in Teesside car company Dixon and Roy.

This year is the 50th anniversary of the Morris Minor Traveller, and Graham Hughes, chairman of the Yorvik branch of the Morris Minor Owners' Club, offered Mr Roy's family the car for his final journey.

Mr Roy's daughter, Helen, said her father would have appreciated the gesture.

She said: "He was just a phenomenal person and very well-loved. He had a fantastic sense of humour -he would love it. Humour underpinned dad. He never left people without grinning. He always did and he will now. As a dad, he has been incredibly generous -more like a best friend, even though he was a lot older."

Aside from cars, Mr Roy was passionate about the environment and, as chairman of the Cleveland group of the WWF, organised many fundraising events, including a 600-mile sponsored bike ride.

Miss Roy said her father also encouraged younger people to take an interest in their environment.

More recently, Mr Roy, who was extremely knowledgeable about ornithology and other aspects of the natural world, put his woodworking skills to good use building and maintaining bird boxes.

He also had an appreciation for the arts, with interests such as Shakespeare and classical music, especially opera.

Mr Roy's family said he was an extraordinarily popular man who charmed everyone with his unique sense of humour and earned their respect through integrity and generosity. He leaves his wife, Bunty, their children, Helen, Andrew and Angus, and grandchildren Isabella and Jennifer.

Andrew Roy said he would remember his father for his warmth, humour and charm.

He said his father was well respected and will be sorely missed, not only by his immediate family, but also by a close-knit extended family and a vast circle of friends.