Members of the Sheppey event marshalling unit - the EMUs - wore hi-vis jackets in church to pay their respects to their founder David O'Neill.

More than 50 friends and family gathered at Minster Abbey on Wednesday for his funeral led by the Rev Chris Shipley.

Mr O'Neill died on December 9 after a battle with cancer. He had turned 63 the day before.

He founded the event marshalling unit in 1985 and appeared at virtually all of the Island's outdoor events until he retired two years ago and handed the baton to his daughter Tracey.

Mr O'Neill, who lived in Kent Avenue, Minster, with his wife Michelle, was born in Bermondsey, south London. When the couple met, he was working as bingo caller in Surrey.

Towards the end of his life the family man suffered from diabetes, bladder cancer, bone cancer, COPD and also underwent a triple-heart bypass.

The great grandad leaves three children, Colin, Keith and Tracey, nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

The grandchildren are Danielle, James, Shannon, Kristian, Rachel, Adam, Bradley, Tommy and Callum. James, Kristian and Tommy all marshalled with their grandad.

David and Michelle brought grandson James up as their own child from the age of six months.

James told mourners: "I remember the camping holidays he took us on in Cornwall and he also drove me to university. He always insisted he knew the route better than the sat nav but still always got lost."

Son Colin said: "All he ever wanted for his children was for us to be happy with the decisions we made. He never closed the door on us. We could always go back. He had a warm heart."

Daughter Tracey remembered: "Dad was often out marshalling but he also found time to be with his friends and family. He was a fun-loving, funny, caring man."

The EMUs were his local newspaper the Sheerness Times Guardian’s charity of the year in 2016.

They have been familiar faces at the Sheppey Pirates Festival, Sheerness Town Team events, Sheppey Summer Carnival, Queenborough’s lantern parade, Sittingbourne’s Friday market and Infusion festival and Sheppey United’s home games.

Mr O'Neill also travelled across Kent helping at Biddenden’s tractor festival and Chatham’s dragon boat race.

Phil Crowder, chairman of the Sheerness Town Team, said: "We are saddened by news of the passing of our friend and former member. Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to his family and friends at this sad time."

Singer Mick Kenten added: "He will be missed by so many. He was a true gentleman."