A PENNILESS man who died in a house fire has been given an emotional send-off by his friends.

Around 40 people attended Roderick 'Roddy' Jenkins' funeral at Worcester Crematorium.

Funds were raised for the service after an appeal in both the Gazette and the Worcester News.

The 68-year-old Welshman tragically died in a blaze in Belmont Road, Malvern, on Thursday, March 2.

Close friend Jane Bedford stepped up to pay for his funeral after it became apparent that he had no surviving relatives.

Andrew Phillips Funeral Services agreed to help with the costs and set up a Just Giving online fundraising page.

Jane Bedford, a close friend of Mr Jenkins, said: "It was an emotional service, everyone was tearing up."

Ms Bedford has yet to receive the bill for the funeral but previously said she will have to pay for it on her credit card.

Andrew Phillips said: "The response has been phenomenal so far with 10 per cent [of the funeral cost] raised in a few days.

"People have even dropped envelopes through our letterbox over the weekend.

"If people wish to contribute but cannot do so over the internet then in this circumstance they can contact us directly."

A collection box was also set up by the exit of the crematorium to help pay for the funeral.

Another friend Michael Hammond, of Clerkenwell Crescent, Malvern, said: "I was drinking with him in the pub on the afternoon that he died.

"I went home early and he was still there. He usually goes home at around 6pm. I couldn't believe it.

"It's a tragedy, he wasn't ready to go."

Mr Hammond, aged 69, said he had known Mr Jenkins for almost 15 years and first met him in the Prince of Wales pub, in Newtown Road, Malvern.

"He was on benefits and he saved his money through the winter and then spent it in the summer," Mr Hammond said.

"He wouldn't drink in the winter and then would enjoy the summer."

Anyone who wants to contribute towards the £2,400 cost of the funeral can donate on https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Roddy-Jenkins.