A STOKE Prior man who loved the waterways was laid to rest after an unusual canalside blessing in the village. Mourners at Stephen Allen's funeral barge pay their last respects.

Stephen Allen, aged 55, of Shaw Lane, was discovered dead in the River Severn at Holt Fleet, on February 25.

His funeral was held on Thursday and started with a wharfside blessing at the Black Prince canal basin, in Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior.

A narrowboat took the coffin down the canal to the Boat and Railway pub where it was met by a hearse.

Mr Allen, a retired car sales director, was then cremated at Worcester.

Mr Allen's brother, John, said the amount of people who lined the canal banks and bridges on the day was testament to how well loved he was.

He said: "He had lived in Stoke for about 20 years and was an expert on the canalways. He had had three boats, two of which he had fitted out himself. He loved that way of life."

Mr Allen's friend, Max Harper, of Shaw Lane, paid tribute to him saying he was a good friend and his death had been a shock.

Ray Giles, director of James Giles and Sons Funeral Directors, in Stourbridge Road, said it was the first canal funeral it had done in the company's 90-year history.

He said: "I don't know of any other funeral directors that have ever done anything similar to this."

Ray said Black Prince Holidays Ltd from Stoke Wharf gave the narrowboat for the funeral.

An inquest into Mr Allen's death was opened at Stourport-on-Severn coroner's court earlier this month but was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

By Sarah Mawhinney