A POPULAR Rossendale funeral director who died last week helped to plan his own funeral.

And the family of John Disley, a funeral director at A&H Hargreaves in Schofield Street, Waterfoot, today paid tribute to an 'honest and straight-forward man'.

John, 64, of Booth Road, Waterfoot, who had been battling with cancer for a number of years, was well known as a local builder before becoming a funeral director.

His wife June said they had discussed his funeral when he decided he would like to have their wedding hymns played at the service.

The couple were married at Edgeside Baptist Church in 1963 where John had been a dedicated member since he was just 18.

June said: "We discussed what would happen at each of our funerals and John decided he would like to have the hymns that were played at our wedding played at his funeral."

The hymns will be 'The King of Love My Shepherd Is' and 'Now Thank We All Our God' which will be sung at the service held at Edgeside Baptist Church at 12.30pm on Friday followed by a committal at Burnley Crematorium.

After studying at Waterfoot Primary School and Lea Bank in Waterfoot, John started work as a builder working for local firm A&H Hargreaves.

June added: "John enjoyed his work and was an honest and straight-forward man who was always willing to help people."