Friends, relatives and civic dignitaries gathered yesterday to honour a former Mayor of Workington and community stalwart at his funeral.

John Bechelli served on the town council for 20 years and was mayor in 2002/3. He was a committee member of Senhouse Street Working Men's Club for more than 50 years and served as chairman and secretary.

Mr Bechelli died on January 5 just over a month after his 90th birthday. Mourners gathered at Our Lady & St Michael's Church at Banklands to remember him.

Relatives carried Mr Bechelli's coffin, adorned with a cross of cream flowers, into the church to Glorious by Darren Hayes.

The song included the lines: "You will never get older and you will never feel pain, or fill the room with laughter like you used to. And I won't hear you speaking or others call your name. In spite of this the world will still continue."

The funeral was conducted by Canon John Watson, who said: "Yesterday, someone said John was one of the best mayors we have had and as a councillor gave fair and good and equal time to everyone, no matter what their political persuasion. He had an idea of justice and fairness and did his best.

"I think we'd all like that to be said of us at the conclusion of our lives."

He gave a brief outline of Mr Bechelli's life, including his work in the pits, his time as a union secretary supporting fellow miners, and more recently the enjoyment he gained from walking his dogs.

The hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful was sung, followed by a reciting of The Lord's Prayer.

The congregation then had the opportunity to reflect as they listened to Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw.

The song began with the words: "When all our tears have reached the sea, part of you will live in me, way down deep inside my heart. The days keep coming without fail. New wind is gonna find your sail. That's where your journey starts."

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Following a commendation, prayers and a final blessing, Mr Bechelli was carried from the church to You're My Best Friend by Don Williams.

Mourners filed out of the church to lines including: "You're my bread when I'm hungry. You're my shelter from troubled winds. You're my anchor in life's ocean. But most of all you're my best friend."

Mr Bechelli was buried at Salterbeck Cemetery alongside his wife Greta and two of their five children.

The burial was followed by refreshments at Senhouse Street Working Men's Club.

Donations in his memory were collected for the church.