THE leaden skies of early autumn broke yesterday to bathe the funeral of amateur weather forecaster Bill Foggitt in glorious sunshine.

Outside the church, the birds sang and the trees were rippled by a stiff breeze as tributes were paid to the famous Yorkshireman.

Mr Foggitt, from Thirsk, died in hospital on Monday at the age of 91.

For years, he continually outshone professional meteorologists by using his own methods of predicting the weather.

Instead of technology, he used plants and the behaviour of animals and insects as guides.

He was a well-known personality in and around Thirsk, and achieved international fame through his weather predictions.

Yesterday, about 70 people gathered at St James Methodist Church, in Thirsk, to pay their respects.

The church notice board carried a quotation from scientist Benjamin Franklin. It read: "Some are weatherwise, some are otherwise."

Mr Foggitt's coffin was brought to the church in a 1930s Rolls Royce hearse.

On top was a wreath of brightly coloured flowers and his favourite deerstalker hat.

It was carried into the church as sunshine streamed through the stained glass windows.

The three hymns sung by the congregation were all chosen by Mr Foggitt, who had a strong faith.

In his early life, he wanted to be a priest and later became a Methodist lay preacher.

The Reverend Geoffrey Bruce, who took the service, said everyone could learn from Mr Foggitt's dedication to nature.

He said: "He reminded us of the importance of the world around us.

"It is part of what we are, it is where we have come from, and, if we are not careful, we are going to make even more mess of it than we have already.

"It is time that we take it more seriously.

"He was a warm, open and quiet personality with a fund of stories about all sorts of things. He always had a twinkle in his eye and humour was always present."

After the service, family members travelled the short distance to Thirsk Cemetery, where Mr Foggitt was laid to rest.