FOREST freeminer, Robin Morgan, who died last month, aged 80, went to his final resting place as he went about his daily life - in his battered old LDV pick up truck.

And accompanying him were his trademark miner’s helmet and his tools - pickaxe, mallet and shovel.

The funeral at Forest Church, Harrow Hill, was conducted by the Rev Philip Averay to a packed congregation.

Afterwards, there was a private family burial service at Mile End Cemetery.

Mr Morgan was working at Hopewell Mine until the day before he died on January 21.

He was the oldest working freeminer in the Forest and believed to be the oldest working miner in Britain.

He worked at the Northern United Colliery until it closed in 1965 and then turned his hand to other forms of work, but all the time working at his mine in Heywood in the evenings and weekends.

Robin also started laying roadside kerbs, where he made a name for himself, laying a record 508 kerbs in one day.

Rev Averay said of Mr Morgan: “He was a great man, a gentle giant, that brought his family up with a pick and shovel, a different breed, who will be sadly missed by his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who, along with friends, will keep his memory alive.”