A VETERAN truck driver made his last journey yesterday when his coffin was brought to the funeral service in Charminster on the back of an HGV vehicle.

The friends and family of Gordon Knowlton, 84, from Parkstone were joined by his former colleagues from Wyvern Cargo for the service at Wimborne Road Cemetery as an articulated lorry brought in the coffin, bearing a flag which read 'Gordy Knowlton's Last Journey'.

Mr Knowlton died on June 23 after a battle with lung cancer and having worked for the distribution service since 2002, Lincoln Waldie, a transport manager for the firm, said it would be a fitting tribute.

He added: "Being on the road was what he wanted and where he wanted to be. He was driving right up until his last few days.

"When he started working for us with an articulated lorry and over the years this was gradually downgraded to carrying out deliveries in my car.

"He lived for work. I wish that one day I could be as active as he was at his age.

"When he came into the office, he would act like one of the lads, but behind that he was a good old fashioned gentleman."

Gordon Knowlton's son, Mike, 62, said: "Everybody knew my father and knew that he lived and breathed trucks. He was 84 and still working for the company.

"My father had the most wicked and dry sense of humour. He was so quick-witted and sharp.

"He was really loved by the staff at Wyvern Cargo and we, as a family, couldn't have been prouder of him. He absolutely doted on my daughters, Bianca and Tanya."

Mike Knowlton said that his dad was being buried with his mum, Patricia Constance Knowlton, who had also previously died of cancer.

He added: "My father went to her graveside every weekend."

Geoff Luther, a fellow truck driver and friend of Gordon Knowlton for over 35 years, said: "He was part of a club called the Silly Old Fart's Association for the older truck drivers, which he loved.

"He was a good mate of all of the drivers at Wyvern Cargo and we all held in high esteem."