A fleet of Royal Mail vans and postmen followed their colleague to his final resting place.

Stephen Arnold was well known around Gillingham where he worked for 16 years.

Affectionately known as Arnie, he died in hospital on Sunday, April 2, from a bleed on the brain.

The 58-year-old was not only a postman but a friend to many of his customers in the Strand area.

He was based at Gillingham Delivery Office, Green Street, and many of his colleagues drove their vans behind his funeral car to the cemetery in Palmerston Road, Chatham, on Friday.

Two flatbed trucks full of floral tributes also followed a horse and carriage carrying his coffin to the cemetery after his celebration of life service at All Saints’ Church, Magpie Hall Road.

Scores of mourners went along to his service, which started at 11am.

A keen Chelsea fan and family man, Arnie leaves behind his wife, Lucy, 52, children, Dan, 32, Lee, 30, Naomi, 22, and Sam, 17, and also had two grandchildren, Bille Jo and Clara Lui who he doted on.

He also leaves behind his mother Peggy, and sisters Tina and Karen.

Arnie was well respected by his colleagues and customers and many were left shocked by his sudden death.

Chatham resident Lucy said: “Many of them have been left upset by his passing.

“Arnie never missed a chance to make people laugh and never complained about a thing.

“He was a happy-go-lucky man who loved his family and his round.

“We love and miss him so much.”

Naomi said: “He also loved his music and we went to see Rod Stewart at the O2 together, it was brilliant.”

Arnie also loved driving around in his prize BMW, and horse racing.

The family used to spend their holidays in Cornwall and also loved to visit Hastings.

After his burial, family and friends gathered at the George Hotel, New Road Avenue, Chatham, to raise a glass.