A LAVISH romany gyspy funeral procession took over a busy Colchester street in memory of a woman who had lived there most of her life.

A spectacularly decorated hearse pulled by horses left Magdalen Street for Colchester Crematorium as a tribute to 85-year-old Sophie Harvey who had lived on the road for more than 60 years.

After being born in Marks Tey to a romany gypsy family, Mrs Harvey moved to Colchester when she was nine and lived in the road for more than six decades with her husband Reg where they helped to run a scrap business.

Mrs Harvey died because of complications with arthritis.

Daughter Susan Gevorkian said she believed her mother had died of a broken heart following the passing of her husband.

She said: “The doctors put it down to arthritis but my father Reg Harvey passed away a year ago and they had dated since they were 15 years old.

“I think she died of a broken heart.”