FRIENDS of Flicky Harrison gathered by the former home of her old workplace to pay their respects as the funeral procession drove past.

The pandemic limited the number of people who could attend the service.

So as a mark of respect, colleagues who could not attend stood outside the Victoria Road offices where she worked for more than 30 years as an entertainment feature writer.

Adver columnist Graham Carter, reporter Daniel Angelini and former reporters Fiona Scott and Matt Edwards were among the small socially-distanced group.

A toy tiger wearing Flicky's signature hat sat atop her coffin as the hearse drove up the hill towards the north Wiltshire chapel where loved ones would say their final farewell to her.

After the procession passed, the crowd soon dispersed to watch the livestreamed service from home.

Matt Edwards said: "From the day I arrived, she was a beaming light in the office, always there for you. She was the kind of person you wanted in the office as a shoulder to cry on.

"She was fantastic, always full of life and personality. News of her death was a massive shock to all of us, it's sad.

"It's a shame we couldn't remember her properly because of the pandemic but I know a lot of people would have watched the service and it was nice to see people out here.

"It would be nice if there were more people in the world like her, the world would be a better place, because she was one of the good ones, she always had a good word for you."

Swindon Choral Society publicity manager Kath Danswan said: "I knew that if I ever wanted something in the paper, she would help. She was a real character, she was great."

Flicky died on March 20 from stomach cancer.

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