ABOUT 100 cars followed a horse and carriage through the streets of Upton in tribute to a well-known figure.

The traditional gipsy cortege passed through to celebrate the life of Leonard Finney, who died aged 62.

Kane Finney, Leonard’s son, said: “We had a good turnout considering the weather was so bad; around 100 cars in total were following us through Upton, I’m happy with it.

“The actual service was very nice, and even more people were there to pay their respects. We couldn’t have asked for more really.”

The cortege travelled to Gloucester Crematorium.

Leonard Finney owned and lived on Hillbee Farm, Welland Road, Upton, with his family and used it as a caravan club site and then later a gipsy site.

It was this site that led to Mr Finney being well known to Malvern Hills District Council and to gaining a reputation as a “fighter”.

Leonard Finney had tried several times to gain planning application to increase the site’s capacity to be able to accommodate an extra five caravans or mobile homes, in addition to the two already there. His son has vowed to continue the fight.

“He was a fighter all his life and never backed down from anyone or anything. I can promise now that the family will continue to fight for these planning applications and we will see them through eventually,” Kane said.