WESTBURY construction worker John Longdon got the send off of his dreams.

He was delivered to West Wiltshire Crematorium in the bucket of a JCB digger.

John, 78, who passed away in February, had spent a lifetime working as a plant and machine operator.

"He was always operating a digger," said his daughter Juliet. "He was still driving a digger last August."

The family decided to arrange the digger at his wife, Eileen's request. And it wasn't until the 11th hour that they got the arrangements made.

"My sister and I were phoning around everyone we could think of, but Mum was really keen that we find a yellow JCB for Dad." said Juliet.

Tim Davis, of Warminster based Tim Davis Plant hire answered the call, and the sparkling clean digger arrived at Trowbridge Rugby club car park to load the coffin onto the digger bucket.

He then led the cortege a mile down the road, followed by Trowbridge funeral directors Elizabeth Snell.

Funeral director Heshman Brown then put the wreath on the coffin for the finale stretch of John's journey to the crematorium door.

"It is certainly the first time I have had a JCB take someone to a funeral," he said. "But it is very nice to give the family their wishes."

Around 30 of John's family and friends were at the funeral to see him off before a wake at the Somerset Arms.

"Call it fate, or just call it faith in humanity and amazing people at the plant hire company and the funeral directors," said Juliet. "But this has made my Mum's wishes come true for Dad. And we all think he would have thoroughly approved."