KINGSTEIGNTON builder John Wignall’s funeral procession to Torquay was a novel affair with his coffin being carried to the crematorium in the bucket of his favourite JCB digger.

John, of Whitear’s Way, died last month after suffering a heart attack. He was 74.

He spent much of his working career as a plant operator, helping to build parts of the A30 and the M5.

His family paid tribute to their ‘friend and hero’ for his love, generosity, kindness and support – as well as his wicked sense of humour, fondness for practical jokes and fund of reminiscences.

Rugby-born John moved to Ideford when he was 12, attending school in Kingsteignton before leaving to work as a market trader with his dad Ernie. As a teenager he worked for Prouts Quarry and later at the local clay pits before joining Jack Harvey Plant Hire and then Dainton Excavators at Ipplepen.

He was also a sharp-eyed darts player ­– and after retiring spent 11 years at the Tesco superstore as a trolley collector.