MORE than 300 people packed into Weeley parish church for the funeral service of a lifelong resident.

Bob Sarson, who was 79, was born on a village farm and spent all his life in Weeley.

He was a leading light in many of the village groups and activities and was so respected that a plaque was unveiled in his memory after his service in the village hall, where he had been a trustee for many years.

Mr Sarson was born at Homestead farm in Thorpe Road and went to boarding school in Harrowgate before being evacuated to the Lake District.

After the war, he returned to work on the family farm and joined the Home Guard. He was a prize-winning shot and represented England, winning medals in Denmark.

In 1957 he joined Brooks of Mistley where he worked until his retirement in 1993.

Mr Sarson had been a village hall trustee, chairman of the village community care and editor of the parish magazine.

He was a vice president of the Tendring Hundred farmers' show for some 60 years and was chief grand ring steward.

Mr Sarson, who lived in Gutteridge Hall Lane, was also on the Parochial Church Council and was tree warden for the church.

He had been a secretary of the Thorpe Farmers Discussion group and leader of the Wix Young farmers.

Mr Sarson died at his home on December 7, after a courageous fight against cancer. He leaves a widow, Pandora, two sons, Jeremy and Henry, and five grandchildren.

His funeral service was on Friday at the village church with interment in the churchyard.