LAURIE BEST died at home in Trowbridge on February 19, having suffered from a chest condition for many years.

Born in Hartlepool, he was very proud of his North East roots. He served his apprenticeship as a plater in a shipyard and later worked in a steelworks. After leaving the North East, he met his wife-to-be Jean in London while out dancing.

They followed Jean's parents to Warrington where they married and settled in Woolston, where they became members of Martinscroft Methodist Church. Here Mr Best served as a trustee, in the choir for Men's Sunday and carrying the banner at the annual Walking Day.

Their children were both born in Warrington, and the family moved to Trowbridge in 1974, after Mr Best joined Stothert and Pitt in Bath in 1973. They became members of Wesley Road Methodist Church, where he served as steward, communion steward, on the church council and property committee.

He loved music, from opera through to popular music, and had a passion for football, following the progress of teams from the North East but adopting Liverpool as his' team. A successful wine-maker, he also enjoyed art, in the early days tinting black and white photographs and after retirement taking up painting, winning awards in the Trowbridge in Bloom art competition.

Following retirement he also took up baking and became an excellent cook. He liked to live life at the double', and despite his illness lived as normally as possible, earning praise from the nurses at the lung rehabilitation programme he attended at the RUH, Bath, who described him as an inspiration to others.

He leaves his wife Jean, daughter Wendy and son Alan, son-in-law Ian and daughter-in-law Julie and grandchildren Madeleine, Georgia and Emily. His funeral service was held at Wesley Road Methodist Church on February 27.