A farm contractor's final wish was granted when a tractor and trailer carried him to his funeral today.

Eastern Daily Press: The funeral of Brian Hagan at Briston Church. Picture: Ian BurtThe funeral of Brian Hagan at Briston Church. Picture: Ian Burt (Image: Archant)

Brian Hagan, who passed away in Kelling Hospital on Christmas Day after battling cancer, was laid to rest at All Saints Church, Briston.

He had lived in the house where he was born in the village, on Hall Street, for all but the last few weeks of his 72 years.

Mr Hagan was known throughout the village as Spiv - a nickname he acquired in his school days for his sharp dress sense. Life-long friend Sid Lubbock, 73, read the euology at his funeral, which was attended by around 100 mourners.

'He was a likeable rogue and a larger-than-life character of Briston that has sadly gone,' he said. 'Spiv worked for himself, cutting the hedges and verges for the council. If you were ever stuck behind him and tooted, you had no chance of ever getting past.'

Mr Hagan, who owned Briston Contractors, leaves a sister Hazel, 80. He was usually seen in the company of Jasper, his nine-year-old terrier, who now lives with friends Terry and Sarah Pardon.

Mr Pardon, who drove the antique Fordson Major which carried Mr Hagan to the service said: 'He told me all the way along, when I pass away you're taking me to church.'

After the service, conducted by Revd Jeremy Sykes, Tom Fitzpatrick, leader of North Norfolk Distrcit Council, said: 'He was just one of those really, really likeable people.'

He added Mr Hagan had a stream of visitors after he was admitted to hospital.