PERSHORE firefighters provided a guard of honour at the funeral of a former colleague and popular community stalwart.

The town’s Abbey was filled to capacity on Friday [November 17] as hundreds turned out to celebrate the life of Mel Grinnell, who died aged 75.

Mr Grinnell, of Little Comberton (or “Little Comfortable” as he called it), gave 25 years of service to the town’s fire station.

Despite also holding down full-time work, he always found time to support numerous good causes, most often by providing the catering — particularly pig roasts.

He was also a committed Scout leader, who inspired generations of youngsters with his can-do, practical approach to getting things done.

It was this quality that saw Mr Grinnell taking the lead in delivering two tons of medicine to Ethiopia during the country’s devastating famine.

It was the same attitude he took to the sports field, where he excelled at rugby for Evesham Rugby Club, football, cricket for Pershore, Birmingham and Comberton cricket clubs and shot-put.

Particularly on the rugby field, he was a formidable opponent due to his imposing physique and surprising turn of speed.

Speaking at the Abbey on Friday, Chris Parsons — former Pershore Mayor and long-serving station officer — related how Mr Grinnell was the only fireman who had ever needed tailor-made wellington boots due to his enormously muscular calf muscles.

Mr Grinnell is survived by his wife Rosslyn, his children Paul, Simon and Sally, and four grandchildren.

Donation’s in Mr Grinnell’s memory can sent via Hill’s Funeral Services to St Richard’s Hospice at Home.