He lived in his overalls and loved nothing more than being in his workshop tinkering about with vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

And yesterday Arthur Lynn - who spent countless years as a scrap yard dealer and motor mechanic in Mid Norfolk - was given a fitting send off as he was taken to his funeral in a rare vehicle he had lovingly restored.

The 85-year-old, who had lived in Yaxham, near Dereham, for well over 50 years, died on November 14, at a care home.

His funeral was held yesterday and his only son, Kenny, 58, drove a 1966 Commer Lorry to St Peter's Church, Yaxham, which carried a 1952 Austin A70 pick-up truck restored by Arthur 20 years ago.

The coffin was put onto the back of the pick-up truck, believed to be only one of seven on the road in Britain at present, at the family home off Paper Street before the cort�ge set off.

'I wanted to give him a last drive out in his most beloved vehicles. I think he would like it,' Kenny said.

Arthur was not a religious man, but a few words were said at the church by a vicar before the churchyard burial. The wake took place at Yaxham Village Hall on Jubilee Park.

He was born at Tacolneston, near Wymondham, and grew up in North Tuddenham.

Arthur, who had three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, maintained vehicles in the Army after the second world war for his national service.

Kenny said: 'He had a love of all things mechanical. He loved going to car shows, auctions and the pub.'

Arthur ran the scrap yard off Paper Street from 1956 to 1980 and carried out repairs and MOTs on a variety of vehicles from combine harvesters to balers to lorries. He also drove buses in Britain and Europe from the late 1970s.

His favourite pub was the Lord Nelson in Yaxham, which has now closed, and he had his final pint with his son on September 3.

Arthur used to take the 1952 Austin A70 pick-up truck to car shows.

Kenny said: 'He had that for as long as I can remember. He restored it when he retired at 65.'

Arthur used the 1966 Commer Lorry as a breakdown truck during his working life and his son restored it over two years. The work was finished last August.

The love of mechanical vehicles was passed down from father to son.

Kenny, who is an engineer for Bernard Matthews, said: 'I lived on a scrap yard. I cannot help but like vehicles.'