The funeral of farmer and horse lover Anthony Gordon Sims is due to take place today (Thursday) at West Wiltshire Crematorium.

Mr Sims, of Westfield Farm, Stert, who died aged 86, owned a number of race horses and also enjoyed hunting with both the Avon Vale and the Royal Artillery.

He was born in Chippenham where his mother ran a fish and chip shop.

After the Second World War he joined the Dorchester Regiment and while posted to Singapore met his wife-to-be Alice.

They married in 1949 and had a son Anthony and two grandsons Brett and Shane.

Mr Sims became a widower about eight years ago.

After leaving the army Mr Sims had a number of jobs in farming and also for a time ran a fish and chip shop in Melksham.

In 1988 he took over Westfield Farm, Stert, near Devizes and indulged his love of race horses.

His winners included Gunner Stream who won the Military Gold Cup.

His son said: “He really loved his horses and had quite a bit of success. He also enjoyed to hunt.”

A collection at the funeral will be taken for Dorothy House Hospice which helped look after Mr Sims in his last weeks.