Convoy of vans take part in funeral procession for much-loved ice cream man

A convoy of vans sounded their horns as part of a funeral procession for a much-loved ice cream man who served thousands of customers for more than 40 years.

Roy Wright, 55, battled cancer for eight years - starting in his bowel and spreading throughout his body - before passing away last month.

Ice cream vans lined the street and rang their chimes in tribute to the man who became an integral part of the community in Maidstone, Kent.

For 44 years, Roy covered rounds around the town - serving thousands of happy residents, many of whom he used to serve now have children of their own.

A convoy of ice cream vans lined Shepway, Maidstone, to pay tribute at Roy's funeral.

Scores of friends and family arrived just before 11am at St Martin's Church in beautifully sunny conditions for Roy's send off.

Multiple ice cream vans, driven by close friends followed behind the hearse and funeral procession.

Once the service finished, the brightly-coloured trucks pulled out of St Martin's Church in Shepway and played their tunes normally reserved for alerting customers to their presence.

Friends and family described Roy as "a true gent" and a very happy-go-lucky man.

Karen Wright, his childhood sweetheart, said they had been together since 1984 and were married for 27 years.

The 57-year-old said: "I will miss his personality the most – the way he used to make me smile. He was just such a lovely guy.

"He would take every day as it comes, and was never unhappy, never sad, never really miserable.

"Roy was a family man, and although we had no children of our own, he had nieces and nephews.

"Our niece, Amy, lives with us, and loved Uncle Roy for the way he used to make her laugh and helped her with her schooling.

"Roy's other interests were fishing, gardening, travelling in his motorhome and his dog, Tess.

"He was a great friend to many and will be so missed."

Roy was introduced to the ice cream industry by his father, Ray, who owned a van in Scotland.

He started working with his dad after school at the age of 14. Roy then moved around 500 miles south to Kent, where he eventually bought his own van.

Karen said he was very popular with all his customers and lots will miss his little chats.

She added: "I don't think I ever heard anybody who had a bad word against him.

"Even through his fight with cancer he never gave up and there were a lot of customers who didn't even realise he was that ill, because he would still be working.

"So when people learnt that he had actually died, they were quite shocked."

Many other friends and family paid their respects to the ice cream van driver and passionate gardener.

Following the news, Roy's colleague and friend, Stephanie Pickles, said: "I have known Roy for many years and he used to serve me as a child.

"When I decided to buy my own ice cream van in 2009, he showed me the ropes and helped me within the trade.

"We always used to chat on the phone for hours on end while at work, and would meet up for a cup of tea if it had been a mental day."

In a tribute on Facebook, Stephanie wrote: "My dear friend, the one who taught me everything I know within our industry, the true legend within the ice cream trade and to his many loyal customers.

"A true gent and one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

"Mr Roy Wright, Ice Cream Legend and loved by many."

Roy died on May 13 at the Heart Of Kent Hospice.

The 55-year-old battled bowel cancer since December 2014 and underwent more than 22 operations over the course of eight years.