THE funeral has taken place of a Stourport estate agent, who had been brought to the town from South Wales as a child by his parents so he would not have to work in the coal mines.

Ken Davies was born in Aberdare in 1934 and began his schooling next to the church in Stourport's Parkes Passage, although he was not there for long as it was bombed during the Second World War.

He went on to Lickhill Middle School and Stourport Secondary Modern, where he was head boy in his final year.

A promising young footballer, he turned down an opportunity to join Aston Villa, as there was no money in the game then. He did national service with the North Staffordshire Regiment, spending nine months in Hong Kong and travelling the world.

Mr Davis began his working career with Walter Rowbotham, which was a Stourport estate agent, becoming a draughtsman. He then joined George Wimpey, where he was in charge of selling houses in Marlpool Lane, Kidderminster.

From there, he moved to Cattell and Young in Kidderminster and then Michael J Davis which, in 1984, was taken over by Andrew Grant.

Mr Grant, now High Sheriff of Hereford and Worcester, delivered the eulogy at Mr Davies's funeral service, at Stourport Methodist Church earlier this month, describing him as having a "pleasant and personable character" and being "conscientious".

Mr Davies first married Chris in 1960, living in Areley Kings, where their children, Nikki and Julian were born. In 1980, he married Sue, who had been widowed and had a son, Mark.