DOZENS of mourners brought Halliwell to a halt as they gathered to pay their respects to a “caring, loyal and precious” man who died after falling down a lift shaft.

Large numbers of the congregation at St Thomas the Apostle Church wore white T-shirts adorned with messages for Craig Jones, known as “Pugz” or “Pugzley” to friends.

Mr Jones died aged 27 on August 30 after he fell five floors down a lift shaft in Marsden House, the town centre flats where he lived.

Several tributes from close friends were read out as part of the service, which, instead of hymns, featured modern music tracks liked by Craig, such as REM’s ‘Shiny Happy People’ and Nico and Vinz’s ‘Am I Wrong’.

Some of the congregation sang along as the funeral ended with Mr Probz ‘Waves’ being played.

Mr Jones’ father Bernard wrote the eulogy, which was read on his behalf by the Reverend Stephen Thomas, who led the service.

It said: “I am devastated Craig. You were such a big part of my life. I have so many memories.

“You were so precious. A beautiful boy and a loyal and caring man.

“You were the best son and brother to Kate, Fiona and Edward and I could not have been more proud.

“This is so tragic, so sorry and I love you more than words could possibly say.

“Love always, Dad.”

Tributes from friends referred to nights out in Bolton, holidays to Turkey, Kavos in Corfu and Benidorm, and all depicted Mr Jones as a fun-loving man.

One tribute, relating to one of Mr Jones’ friends sustaining a broken arm, read: “I turned to Pugz and said ‘I’m pretty sure this is broken’. He said ‘give me your arm’ so I did and he shook it hard.

“When I shouted out in pain he looked at me and just said ‘yes, it’s broken’.”

In the service Mr Thomas said that Mr Jones, who worked with his dad as a plasterer, loved his toolkit as a child and was a hard-working adult.

Mr Thomas said: “Craig lived life to the max and it was this thirst for life that so endeared him to all of you here today.”

Some of Mr Jones’ friends are raising money to put in a trust for his niece and nephew, Tyler and Hannah, aged four and one respectively.

Any donations will be presented to the pair when they turn 18 as a present from their Uncle Craig.

A fun day is being held at The Brooklyn pub in Great Lever to raise cash for the fund.