He was best known for sweeping the streets of Darlington for 35 years before officially retiring over 20 years ago – but he continued to clean every day.

Woodmansey continued to get up at 4am every day, despite leaving his council job in 2001, donning his overalls and hi-vis vest to pick up litter and keep the town tidy.

"He was simply one of a kind," said Julie Whitehouse, a friend of 40 years. "He was a proper gentleman, and someone who always wanted to be a celebrity.

Pete has been hailed as "one of a kind"

Read more: Tributes to dedicated Darlington legend 'Pete the Sweep' after death

"He loved to make a difference to people. I would walk through the town centre and he would engage with everybody. The work he did in the community, keeping every clean and tidy was amazing.

"He touched a lot of people’s lives in a very simple way. He was very well loved, respected and thought about."

A funeral service will be held at St John the Evangelist Church, Neasham Road, on Wednesday, August 3 at 1pm.

And Julie is asking anyone who wants to pay their respects to join in a celebratory procession of Pete’s life at 12:30pm from Dinsdale Crescent to the church for the service.

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