Close friends of Viv Rogerson, who died after a row with a neighbour over parking spaces, carried his coffin into church for his funeral.

The funeral procession into All Saints Church, Didcot, yesterday was accompanied by a recording of Frank Sinatra singing I Did It My Way.

It had been Mr Rogerson's favourite karaoke song. His funeral was attended by more than 400 people.

They included members of Didcot Rugby Club for which Mr Rogerson had played regularly as a winger until a knee injury forced him to hang up his boots five years ago.

Police are still investigating his death after an incident outside his home in Lydalls Road, Didcot, at 2am on Saturday, February 6.

Single Mr Rogerson, 36, suffered severe head injuries and died in the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, later the same day.

He was born in Swindon, although the family moved to Didcot when he was only three weeks old.

Mr Rogerson, a building worker, leaves two brothers and five sisters - another sister died in September last year.

His sisters Diane Arnold, Josie Cook, Jenny Hall, Jill Jones and Maureen Rogerson led the mourners to the graveside where family and friends threw single red roses onto the coffin.

It was borne to the graveside by members of the rugby club wearing the club's red and white team strip - to the recorded strains of The Wanderer by Status Quo.

A close friend and member of the rugby club, Dave 'Maggot' Major, spoke of Mr Rogerson's love of life.

"He was a man's man and a ladies' man. A born storyteller who loved to be the centre of attention", said Mr Major.

The sentiment was echoed by the Rector, the Rev Philip Dallaway.

In the spirit of what Mr Rogerson would have wished, mourners retired to one of his favourite pubs, Broadways, for a funeral wake.

A 28-year-old man was arrested after Mr Rogerson's death and released on bail without being charged.

Story date: Saturday 20 February

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