FRIENDS turned out in strength to say farewell at the funeral of former professional footballer and keen Ledbury in Bloom supporter Brian Lewis.

Mr Lewis, of Ledbury Park, whose funeral was held at Ledbury Parish Church on Friday, had battled ill-health in recent years.

He was best known locally as a development land consultant and a committee member of Ledbury in Bloom.

But fewer people knew that in the 1960s he played for Crystal Palace, Coventry City and Swansea and even scored a goal in a Welsh Cup final.

A particularly tough game between his old club Crystal Palace and Coventry is mentioned in Peter Jacobs' Book, Crystal Palace Football Club - A Decade of Destiny, 1959-1969.

A passage recalls a 1967 match: "Professional football is a game for real men... Brian Lewis, playing against his old colleagues, has a set-to with Johnny Bryne. Bobby Gould had his shirt pulled in the penalty area..."

Mr Lewis, who was 76, came to Ledbury seven years ago and was soon winning awards in the Ledbury in Bloom gardens competition. He won the best back garden in 2001 and the best overall garden in 2003.

For four years in a row, he and his wife, Lorraine, did not fail to win an award.

Mrs Lewis said: "He wasn't going to enter anymore, because it was his view that the prizes should go elsewhere.

"He thought Ledbury was a wonderful town and he praised every inch of it."

Mr Lewis' gardening expertise meant that, before he settled in Ledbury, he had gone on the lecturing trail with the television gardener, Percy Thrower, who was a good friend.

He purchased and moved huge stone urns from a building site in Weston-Super-Mare to his front garden in Ledbury, where they still have pride of place.

An antique stone trough was brought from Bramhope Farm, in Yorkshire, Mrs Lewis' childhood home.

Former Ledbury in Bloom chairman Tom Deane said: "He was a very quiet person but had significant influence on the development of Ledbury in Bloom. He was an exceptionally keen member of the committee."

As a member of the board of Marches Housing Association, he helped to promote Ledbury in Bloom among tenants.

Mr Deane said: "He will be sorely missed. He had a lot of expertise which he gave to Ledbury in Bloom."

Donations at his funeral raised more than £400 for Ledbury in Bloom.