BOLTON said a sad farewell to one of its most famous sons on Tuesday as thousands lined the streets in pouring rain for the final journey of celebrity steeplejack Fred Dibnah.

The Rev Barry Newth, a friend for more than 40 years, who was at Fred's bedside as he died, told the congregation at Bolton Parish Church: "How can we possibly forget you, Fred? He was a lovely man, a real character of whom the BBC's Peter Sissons recently said: 'They don't make them like that any more.'

"Fred made you feel good about yourself. Whenever folk asked how he was, it was always with a smile on their face.

"And how often many a man would tell me how they'd rather stay in at home to watch Fred on the telly than go out for a pint."

Mr Newth paid tribute to Fred's courage as he battled against cancer to finish his latest TV project.

"He dispensed with his cancer treatment so that he could complete the project. He knew he didn't have long to live.

"And with courage and perserverance, he succeeded."

Among the mourners was Cllr Frank White, who has represented the Tonge and The Haulgh ward, where Fred lived, for 15 years.

"I thought the service was totally reflective of Fred himself," he said. "Barry Newth's touch of humour was fantastic and something Fred would have really enjoyed.

"He's have been quite amused at all those people turning out to see him. I found the outburst of applause when the coffin passed quite touching and very dignified."

Town centre streets were packed as the cortege made its way from Bolton Parish Church for the internment in Tonge Cemetery.

Earlier, hundreds who gathered outside Bolton Parish Church broke into spontaneous applause as the cortege arrived shortly before noon.

The church was full to its 550-seat capacity for the service.

And in true Fred Dibnah style, his beloved steam engine Betsy played a central role, leading the funeral procession through town.

The parade, watched by thousands of people who lined the route from his Radcliffe Road home, was led by the band of the Lancashire Artillery Volunteers, resplendent in their black, red and gold uniforms.

John Howarth from Howarth's funeral service said: "Fred wanted a Victorian type funeral, but with steam."

Friends from the traction engine world attended the funeral from all over the country, bringing their own engines to take part in the procession.

Family mourners, including his wife, Sheila, three daughters and two sons followed in cars with fellow enthusiasts' steam engines bringing up the rear.

The Vicar of Bolton, Canon Michael Williams said it was fitting that Fred's funeral should be held at the Parish Church - a building which inspired him to take up steeplejacking and which he climbed and repaired on many occasions.

"It was working on the parish church that actually began his steeplejacking career so it is quite symbolic in that sense," he said.

Fred's family have requested that only family flowers should be sent, with donations in lieu for Bolton Hospice, where Fred died on Saturday after a long battle with cancer.

Donations should be sent to Howarth Funeral Service, 638 Blackburn Road, Bolton.