Hundreds of mourners gathered to say a final farewell to "Mr Personality" - jazz trumpeter Vic Wood.

Family, friends and familiar faces from the jazz world entered Southend Crematorium yesterday accompanied by a jazz band made up of friends of the well-loved musician.

Vic, 61, who lived on the Hold Farm estate in Rochford, lost his fight against cancer last Tuesday at Southend Hospital. He leaves behind his wife Doreen, a daughter, son and granddaughter.

Among those at the funeral were a large number of his colleagues from the Post Office who laid a post box-shaped wreath in his memory.

Conducting the service was the Rev John Stanton who described Vic as a man who "put his family before his love of music and will be sadly missed by everyone".

Mr Stanton brought a smile to the faces of the mourners when speaking of horn players in heaven, with one attendant reminding him of the Angel Gabriel, to which the minister quipped: "Well, Gabriel will certainly make a good understudy to Vic."

Saxophonist Kenny Baxter, a close friend for 41 years, fought back tears as he read a moving eulogy.

He said: "He was a fantastic comedian and in the last year he was playing the best he's ever played before."

He added: "He is going to be a legend that we talk about for years."

There was high praise for Vic's musical talent which started when he picked up his First instrument at the age of four.

At six he started playing in a band and a year later he won the Daily Herald solo award for his cornet skills.

He went on to study piano, cello and trumpet at the London College of Music where he was awarded top honours. He was also an outstanding flugal horn player.

He played in many bands associated with the town spanning Dixie, funk, small jazz combos and other diverse styles.

As the coffin was committed, a jazz ensemble led by famous Southend jazz musician Digby Fairweather played out a farewell tune.

Tribute - friends from the jazz world accompany the funeral procession of Vic Wood to Southend Crematorium

(Right) Musician Vic Wood

First picture: ROBIN WOOSEY

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.