Well-wishers have gathered to bid farewell to former Waveney MP Bob Blizzard as his hearse took a final tour of the town he loved.

Mr Blizzard, who died earlier this month at the age of 71, served as Waveney’s MP between 1997 and 2010 and was a frequent visitor to Crown Meadow, the home of Lowestoft Town to cheer on the Trawlerboys' over the years.

Mr Blizzard's funeral procession took him past the football club, in Love Road, at about 12.45pm on Friday, May 27, where he received a round of applause from well-wishers.

Eastern Daily Press: Bob Blizzard served as Waveney’s MP between 1997 and 2010Bob Blizzard served as Waveney’s MP between 1997 and 2010 (Image: Archant 2022)

Those in attendance gathered to show their respect to Mr Blizzard, with some wearing Lowestoft Town scarves as the procession edged past.

The procession then made its way to one of Mr Blizzard's favourite haunts, The Seagull, where his jazz night was held.

Eastern Daily Press: Former Waveney MP Bob Blizzard became chairman of Jazz Services after leaving parliament. Pictured at Morlings Music Store on London Road SouthFormer Waveney MP Bob Blizzard became chairman of Jazz Services after leaving parliament. Pictured at Morlings Music Store on London Road South (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2011)

It then moved on to pause for a moment at Cefas, which Mr Blizzard had campaigned to keep in Lowestoft, keeping its 530-strong workforce in the town.

Pakefield Cliffs was the next destination to say goodbye to wind turbine, Gulliver.

His 13-year time in the Westminster seat included notable successes, including getting the Tom Crisp Way relief road open to alleviate one of the major traffic bottlenecks in Lowestoft, and obtaining funding for the Orbis Energy Centre.

Eastern Daily Press: Some of those in attendance wore Lowestoft Town scarves as a mark of respectSome of those in attendance wore Lowestoft Town scarves as a mark of respect (Image: Archant 2022)

The Labour politician was one of several gains for Tony Blair’s government in its historic 1997 landslide across the country, becoming the first, and still only, non-Conservative MP to hold the Waveney seat since its creation in 1983.

He successfully held onto the seat through two more general elections, in 2001 and 2005.

Eastern Daily Press: Former Waveney MP Bob Blizzard's funeral procession taking place on Love Road in Lowestoft. Picture: Danielle BoodenFormer Waveney MP Bob Blizzard's funeral procession taking place on Love Road in Lowestoft. Picture: Danielle Booden (Image: Archant 2022)

The latter saw him win by a majority of almost 6,000 ahead of Conservative challenger Peter Aldous, who would go on to win the seat from Mr Blizzard by just 769 votes in 2010, despite a campaign trail that saw comedian Eddie Izzard hit the streets of Lowestoft to support the Labour candidate.

He fought for a third crossing to be built over Lake Lothing, including commissioning a feasibility report to be carried out for a bridge connecting Waveney Drive and Peto Way, and attracting more than 10,000 signatures to a petition calling for the crossing.

Eastern Daily Press: Some of the well-wishers outside Crown Meadow included club officialsSome of the well-wishers outside Crown Meadow included club officials (Image: Archant 2022)

His love of jazz saw him involved with the All Party Parliamentary Jazz Appreciation Group (APPJAG) and founder of the Parliamentary Jazz Awards, as well as becoming chairman of the national organisation Jazz Services, following his departure from politics. He also set up the Lowestoft Jazz Weekend.