MOURNERS gathered to pay their respects to a man believed to have been chased into a road just seconds before he fell under the wheels of a van.

Kevin Warr's family and friends packed into his funeral service at Overdale Crematorium.

They heard the 37-year-old described as a quiet man who would sometimes be the life and soul of a party, but who died in "cruel and tragic" circumstances.

Mr Warr died after he fell under the wheels of a Mercedes van in Bury Road, Tonge Fold, shortly after 11.30am on Monday, December 9.

It is believed that he was trying to run away following an argument with another man and he was trapped under the van for several minutes .

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with multiple injuries and doctors were unable to save him.

Mr Warr, who worked at Staples stationers at the Trinity Retail Park near St Peter's Way, was said to be a keen football and pool player, a Bolton Wanderers fan and a hard-working, much-loved, popular man.

He lived with his partner, Wendy, in a house they had spent months redecorating in Tonge Fold. The funeral congregation was told: "B&Q was a second home to Kevin."

Mr Warr was cremated as R Kelly's ballad, "I Believe I Can Fly", played in the background.

A man arrested in connection with his death has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Crown Prosecution Service solicitors are studying the facts of the case to determine whether there was any "criminal culpability".