A COACH builder who died of bone cancer was yesterday driven to his funeral in a traditional horse-drawn hearse that he helped restore.

Glyn Varty, 63, of Hylton Road, Ferrhill, County Durham, died on June 25. His funeral took place in St Luke’s Church, Ferryhill.

The Reverend David Garratt described the grandfather and great-grandfather, known as Tash, as a passionate horseman and skilled craftsman.

Born in Ferryhill, Mr Varty went to Durham Johnston School and Sunderland Art College before becoming a printer.

He moved to Penrith, Cumbria, where he worked as a groom and then restoring and building carriages, which he went on to do in Essex.

Mr Garratt said that Mr Varty loved the outdoors and would often go walking, keeping Jack Russells as pets, which were all known as Tash.

Mr Garratt said: “Someone would shout Tash, and you would either get the man or his dog, or the man and his dog.”

He described the cortege from Mr Vary’s home, which he shared with his wife, Ena, as a fitting tribute to his skill.

The Northern Echo attended the funeral with permission from Mr Varty’s family.