THE cortege carrying Corsham farmer Guy Stafford to his final resting place was one of the most unusual ever seen in the town.

His coffin was loaded on to a combine harvester and driven through the streets by his son James to be buried in one of his own fields.

Wellwishers applauded as the huge yellow machine made its way along the nine-mile route to Pickwick Lodge Farm on Friday.

His daughter Helen said he was a larger-than-life character who loved the countryside and his family. “He was born on the farm and lived there all his life. It was his dying wish to be buried there.”

A beef and arable farmer after moving out of dairy, Mr Stafford, 74, who died on April 29 loved countryside pursuits, particularly shooting. He was a member of Corsham Young Farmers in his youth and won many ploughing matches

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“My father was a very kind man who was very well known in the area,” said Helen. “He worked hard and played hard and farming was his life.”

He leaves a wife, Gill, 72, three children, Emma, James, and Helen and five grandchildren.