78-year-old John Longdon from Westbury, who died last month, spent a lifetime working as a plant and machine operator.

“He was always operating a digger,” his daughter Juliet told the Swindon Advertiser. “He was still driving a digger last August.”

The family decided to arrange the digger at his wife Eileen’s request. And it wasn’t until the 11th hour that they managed to make the arrangements.

“My sister and I were phoning around everyone we could think of, but mum was really keen that we find a yellow JCB for dad,” said Juliet. “We didn’t think we could find anyone, but then we got a call.”

Tim Davis, who owns a plant hire firm in Warminster, stepped up and the sparkling clean machine arrived to load John’s coffin into the bucket. He then led the cortege a mile down the road.

Funeral director Heshmon Brown then put the wreath on the coffin for the final stretch of John’s journey to the crematorium door. “It is certainly the first time I have had a JCB take someone to a funeral,” he said. “But it is very nice to give the family their wishes.”

Around 30 of John’s family and friends were there to see him off.

“Call it fate, or just call it faith in humanity and amazing people at the plant hire company and the funeral directors,” said Juliet. “But this has made my Mum’s wishes come true for Dad. And we all think he would have thoroughly approved.”

John is survived by Eileen, daughters Sarah and Juliet, son Paul and grandchildren Abbie, Georgie, Luke Carlton and Austin.