More than 100 mourners gathered to pay their respects to dad-of-five Jim Attfield as he was laid to rest.

His mum Julie Finch walked at the head of close family members as the funeral procession was brought down Church Street in Coggeshall, before joining friends and family for the funeral at noon in St Peter ad Vincula Church.

Jim’s favourite songs, including Snow Patrol’s Run and The Script’s The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, were played amongst prayers and readings from The Rev Bill Howes, who described it as a bittersweet celebration of Jim’s life.

Mum Julie said: "I have been asked on many occasions since his death what was Jim like? And all I can reply is 'he was just Jim'. Jim had an infectious laugh and wicked sense of humour and will be sorely missed by all who knew him, especially his family.

“His life ended in a way nobody’s should and today as a family we want to give him the send-off he deserves.

“Jim is being buried in Coggeshall church: though he is no longer here in person he can be close to me.”

Full tributes will be in tomorrow's Gazette.