FAMILY and friends gathered to say their last goodbyes to Richard Perkins, who died in an alleged arson attack in Malvern.

His coffin arrived at a packed church in a horse-drawn carriage, followed by mourners dressed in black.

A lone bagpiper played as family and friends carried his coffin into St Egwin’s Church in Norton, near Evesham, where Mr Perkins grew up.

Following close behind was his widow, Roseann Perkins, who clutched a framed picture of her husband of 10 years.

The short service of Thanksgiving paid tribute to the 37-year-old man who died in the fire at his home in The Glade, Malvern, on Monday, October 13.

Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits was played as his coffin adorned, with flowers, was carried into the small village church.

Reverend Andrew Spurr spoke about the way Mr Perkins died and urged the congregation to allow the police time for justice to be done.

“I cannot escape the fact that the manner in which Richard was taken was both before his time and he was taken from us violently and this hangs in the air,” he said. “This is indeed unfinished business, it is not for us to do today, that is for the police.

“In the course of time due process and justice will be done.”

He also spoke about Mr Perkins’s love of gardening.

“If any man was suited to a career it was Richard and landscape gardening,” he said.

Mourners also heard readings, poems and tributes from his friends William Loveridge and Michael Dalton, before singing The Day Thou Gavest.

Missing You by P Diddy and Fairground by Simply Red were also played to the sombre audience.

He was buried in the churchyard where bouquets of flowers had been left at his graveside.

One from his step-daughter Katie spelled the words ‘Dad’ and a card read: “Dad, whenever you were around you brightened up the place with your happy, fun, young smiley face.

“I will never forget you, you will always be in my heart.”

Another card from his mother Doreen read: “You were taken from me so tragically, I never said goodbye, though you will always be in my heart as time passes by.”

Other wreaths were in the shape of a digger and a pint of lager.

Mr Perkins also had three step-sons.

Fifty-year-old Stephen George Davies, of Oak Crescent, Malvern, has been charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

He remains in custody.