David John Lawrence, who was known by friends and family as a ‘free-spirit’, died from a heart attack at the age of 64.

A colourful funeral was held at West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington in memory of the grandfather who died on the beach while sunbathing at Studland Bay on May 31.

As a young boy, brought up in Wroughton, Swindon, Mr Lawrence was a member of the Cubs and Scouts, before taking on a job at Gray’s Bakery in Swindon.

At a dance he met Kay Powell, now 62, from Widbrook View in Bradford on Avon, who he married in 1970 at Trowbridge Register Office.

The couple moved to Trowbridge and had two children Tracey Taylor, 37, of Poulton, Bradford on Avon, and James, 27, of Woodbrook View.

He also has two step-children, Andrew Powell, 43, from Bradford on Avon, and Steven Powell, who died at the age of 31, who he treated as his own.

During the mid-1980s he became a fan of CB amateur radio. and he was also a big fan of banger racing and won many trophies across the county.

Tracey Taylor said: “I remember when I was young, about two years old, him doing a lap of honour and he would come and get me and put me on his lap as he went round.”

While in Trowbridge, living in Studley Green, he worked as a heavy plant driver for Hussey and Sons before he took up welding jobs and mechanics.

The grandfather-of-six was divorced in the early 1980s and in the last ten years he bought campervans so that he could travel the country and visit numerous festivals such as Glastonbury and The Summer Solstice at Stonehenge.

During a holiday at Studland Bay, Mr Lawrence suffered a heart attack, which took his life.

Mrs Taylor said: “Everyone knew him as a free-spirit. He hated the winter and loved the summer. He was a big family man and would always keep in contact when he was away.

“There were about 150 people at his funeral and there was no dress code. We had some particularly colourful people there.”

A top hat with a sunflower was placed in top of his coffin at his cremation.