Respects to trader

white horses with red plumes, then passed the Ashford Market on the Orbital Park, where Mr Gibbs was well known.

More than 300 mourners then made their way to a service at St Francis Church, before heading to Bybrook Cemetery, off Canterbury Road, Kennington, for the committal at 1.30pm.

The Rev Tim Wilson, who led the service, has been a vicar in Ashford for more than 14 years and said such spectacular sendoffs are rare.

He said: “I didn’t know Mr Gibbs personally but I knew his family through various other connections at St Francis and I knew it was going to be a big affair.

“It was quite a procession. And it’s rare to see four white horses pulling the carriage.

“It was a sad day but a very memorable one to pay tribute to a well loved man.

“St Francis is a beautiful church and you can squeeze lots of people in, so it was a lovely setting.

“It was quite a moving service because there were personal and original contributions from his children and grandchildren.

“Two of his sons and one of his granddaughters sang on recorded tracks, and they sounded great.

“There was a huge number of people there. The church was packed and people were standing at the back.

“I think people do turn out for funerals because it’s not only an opportunity to show respect but it’s also an opportunity to support the family.”

Family and friends wore black with red ribbons in their hair, while a piper played music.

Floral tributes read “Farth” and “Danny-Boy”, nicknames Mr Gibbs had been given by his loved ones.

Following the carriage were seven black limousines. As with many other cars in the procession, they had red ribbons on the door handles.

A pick-up truck with funeral flowers on the back also followed.

Mr Gibbs leaves behind his wife Dee, his 11 sons and stepsons, and 31 grandchildren.

‘It was quite a moving service because there were personal and original contributions’

Danny Gibbs was a popular market trader