St Mary's Church in Wallingford was packed on Friday, May 9, for the funeral of Alan Ryan.

Mr Ryan, 40, was brought up at St George's Green in the town and worked in the kitchens of The George pub, the Shillingford Bridge Hotel and The Swan in Streatley before becoming a plasterer.

Mr Ryan had been ill for some time before his death at The Horton Hospital, Banbury.

His sister Julia Budziszewski said: "He was very well known, well-liked and had an enormous number of friends.

"Now his family are planning a day of events in his memory raising funds for the intensive care unit at Banbury where he was so well looked after."