A “kind and fun-loving” Carlisle barman got the send-off he deserved, thanks to the generosity of his employer.

There were concerns over the financial pressure on Roman Oplocky’s family, as they also had to arrange and pay for a second funeral in his home country of the Czech Republic.

The 37-year-old, an avid Barcelona football fan, was diagnosed with leukaemia in May 2018 but after a “brave and defiant fight” lost his battle on March 9.

Originally from Prostejov, Czech Republic, Roman had lived in Carlisle for about 14 years and worked at Lloyds Bar in Botchergate as a shift leader for nine years.

After hearing about the family’s difficulties, JD Wetherspoon boss Tim Martin offered to cover the funeral costs.

Roman’s many friends joined his flatmates Martina Machackova and Emil Machacek and his devastated parents at Carlisle Crematorium yesterday to say their goodbyes and remember the happy character he was.

Close friend Alex Blair said: “All who met Roman loved him. He was a fun loving, cheeky-natured lad. He was a happy character who will be greatly missed by all that knew him.

“Lloyds Bar will not be the same without him. He leaves a Roman size hole in all our lives. He was strong, caring and a fighter to the very end.”

His family said he was “loving, kind, and caring” and someone who was always there to help others and make everyone laugh.

“He was a fighter,” they said. “He was fighting to his last breath even in the battle he could never win. He is an inspiration to everyone who ever met him.”

Mike Rome, who set up a fundraising page to support Roman’s parents, said: “He was still cracking jokes, seeing visitors and showing off his charm to the nurses in his last days.”

Wetherspoons confirmed the company paid for the funeral.

Independent funeral director Jill Glencross and Border Offset printers gave their services free.