TRAFFIC came to a standstill in Worcester yesterday as more than 100 people joined a Romany gipsy funeral procession through the city.

A horse-drawn carriage carried the coffin of William Smith, a well-known Romany gipsy, from his home in Wyld’s Lane to St Philip and St James Church in Hallow.

About 20 vehicles took part in the procession, including six Mercedes limousines, three flat bed trucks carrying beautiful floral tributes and which were adorned with photographs, and the horse-drawn carriage.

The procession travelled with a police escort through the city centre after leaving Wyld’s Lane at about 1.30pm towards New Road.

It then turned at the island towards Hallow, where Mr Smith was buried close to his wife Kathleen.

About 150 people said their farewells to the former scrap merchant, who died after an illness aged 84. He leaves his son Jimmy, his daughter Angeline and her two sons.

The Rev Robert Latham, who carried out the service and paid tribute to Mr Smith, said the family remembered him as a generous man. “His family told me a number of things about Mr Smith,” said Mr Latham.

“He was a really caring father and grandfather. He was also a talented singer and would often get on the floor and sing on a night out in a pub.

“He sang in the hop fields and with his sister.

“He was well known in the farming community as he repaired Dutch barns and helped maintain them.

“There are often a lot of people at traveller funerals. But it is unusual to have the cortege with all the vehicles and the lorries.”

Donations in memory of Mr Smith can be made to the church or cancer charities at A V Band Funeral Directors in St Nicholas Street.