A HUNDRED red balloons were released at the funeral of a much-loved council worker to pay tribute to a ‘special man.’

More than 200 friends, family and colleagues of Lenny Wilkins turned up to Mitton Hall near Whalley on Tuesday to say their farewells after Lenny died at East Lancashire Hospice last week.

On the day, the 58-year-old’s colleagues lined Tower Road with Blackburn with Darwen council wagons in tribute, a sight that his wife Lynn has described as ‘amazing.’

She said: “The turnout at the funeral was a sight to see.

“Lenny was very special man and he cared about everything he did and everyone he worked with.

“A lot of people had a lot of respect for him."

As well as the procession of council wagons, guests were also asked to fill red balloons with messages and pictures for Lenny, which were released into the sky at the service.

Lynn said: “The balloons were filled with what we used to call ‘Lenny-isms’– as he always used to say funny things.

“It was a very special day for a very special man."

At the service, Lenny and Lynn’s son, Dan, read a eulogy.

Lenny, who started working for council in 1975, worked his way up through the corporate building team before becoming an Operations Manger in 2012.

Speaking about the much-loved family man, Blackburn with Darwen Council chief executive Harry Catherall said: “Lenny will be sadly missed by all of his colleagues here at the council.

“He was passionate about his job and made a real difference throughout his career.”