FAMILY and friends lined the streets in tribute as a popular steam enthusiast and road builder was taken to his funeral by a steam traction engine.

David ‘Roy’ Loader was one of the last living members of family firm Mark Loader (Bournemouth Ltd) which helped construct many roads, bridges and airfields around the Bournemouth area.

Mr Loader was taken from the site of the former family firm in Rutland Road to Bournemouth Crematorium in a traditional Loader and Sons trailer drawn by a 1910 Garret single cylinder general purpose steam engine.

The steam engine was driven by his son David and granddaughter Anna.

David said: “We thought it would be a fitting tribute and something he would have wanted.

The steam engine was from 1910 but it was purchased by my dad in 1947 and meant a great deal.”

During the 1950s Mr Loader dedicated his time to preserving steam traction engines and rollers and this passion continued into later life.

Friend Dave Maidment said: “He was like a father figure and he knew so much about engines.

“When I bought a steam engine he helped me out so much. I really will miss him.”

Shirley Maidment said: “He was an absolute gentleman and a very popular man. “This is such a great tribute to him and something he would have wanted.”

Mr Loader, who was born on November 17 in 1927, joined the family firm and spent his teenage years assisting his father Seth at threshing work on farms around the town.

He met his wife Audrey at a dance in Bournemouth Hotel in the 1950s and they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in September last year.”