IT was standing room only at the funeral of the president of Avonbank brass band, Roger Spragg, who died suddenly at home.

Mr Spragg, 71, suffered heart failure in Kempton Close, Evesham four days after Christmas.

The grandfather of two was a well-known figure in the town where he was born and bred.

As a young man he played in the Avonbank brass band, and with his friend Clive Allen, founded the Wychavon Festival of Brass in 1990 - an event attracting up to 50 of the best bands in the country to the area.

Mr Allen, who attended Mr Spragg's funeral at Evesham Methodist Church on Monday said: "It was a tribute to Roger that the church was packed. I will remember him as a person you couldn't say 'no' to. He had that wonderful happy knack of getting things done for his community."

Mr Spragg was a former Evesham town councillor and former chairman of the Vale of Evesham Tourist Association, but over the past 25 years he suffered heart attacks.

His life saving operation in London in 1989 prompted him to start the Evesham and District Heart Support Group which now has an active membership of more than 70 people.

During his working life Mr Spragg was employed by numerous firms in the area including Hamilton and Bell, J.M. Stokes, Coulters, Fosters Grocery Stores, Cox's and Epsley-Tyas. Before he took early retirement he was chief administration officer of Evesham College.

Mr Spragg leaves his wife Pam, who he had been married to for nearly 50 years, as well as his daughter and son-in-law Karen and Martyn Smith and two teenage grandchildren Damian and Darren.