VILLAGERS have said their goodbyes to a man who had a lifelong association with one of East Anglia's most well-known pubs and was its landlord for eight years.

VILLAGERS have said their goodbyes to a man who had a lifelong association with one of East Anglia's most well-known pubs and was its landlord for eight years.

Songs were sung in the Kings Head pub at Laxfield in memory of Ronnie Read, who has died aged 76.

His funeral was held in a packed parish church during the Tuesday morning and many of the mourners went on to the pub – known locally as the Low House – where he had enjoyed Tuesday lunchtime singing sessions for many years.

Earlier the hearse had been followed by pony and trap – a traditional part of the scene outside the pub.

Mr Read's daughter, Brenda Pearce, said: "He would have liked the thought that we were all here in the pub – he spent so many happy hours here.

"We have asked the singers to carry on because we know how much he enjoyed these sessions."

Mr Read was born in Laxfield in 1926 and is thought to have begun drinking at the Kings Head as a teenager.

He worked at Manor Farm in the village for many years, initially as a horseman and in later life worked on a farm at Cratfield.

During his eight-year term as landlord of the Kings Head – in partnership with his wife, Dot – he introduced its weekly "kipper night" which became extremely popular.

"It was the only time in his life he ever cooked and people loved it," said Mrs Pearce.

Mr Read, who developed cancer last year, leaves two other children, Barry and Lisbeth.