The funeral has been held of a man who directly and indirectly touched the hearts of hundreds of Christians in the Highworth area.

Arthur Randell had a complete change of direction when he was made redundant from the livestock haulage trade and set up a much-needed bookshop in Highworth with the full support of all the churches.

He was also a former church warden and collected for Christian Aid every year until his death.

Mr Randell suffered a heart attack on the way to his daughter's wedding and was taken to Peterborough Hospital. He then had a stroke and died on Sunday, October 22, at the age of 74.

His funeral was held at St Michael's Church in Highworth on Thursday and the building was so packed only one seat remained empty.

His widow Joan, whom he first met when they were patients at Princess Margaret Hospital, said: "He was a lovely man and loved by so many people. He would help and listen to anyone."

Mr Randell was born in Derbyshire and grew up in Northamptonshire. During the war he served with the RAF and transferred to the Irish Guard.

He set up a livestock haulage business in Northampton which he continued for 20 years, and his job brought him to Highworth in 1978.

But three years later he became redundant and reportedly said to God: "Here I am Lord, use me."

The Inter-Church Committee in Highworth asked Mr Randell if he would set up Christian bookstalls in Highworth. The first stall held was in his back bedroom in Windrush, which was open all hours.

Mr Randell took an empty room free of charge on the third floor of a High Street grocery shop in 1983 and in 1993 the shop, Lighthouse Books, moved to its present premises at 40A High Street.

Mr Randell retired in April 1991 but continued to work as a volunteer in the shop up until his death. He did not receive any payment for his services from the time the shop opened.

Mr Randell met Joan after their first spouses had died and they married in 1986. Between them they have five children, 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Mrs Randell and the rest of the family would like to thank relations, friends and neighbours for the kind words and messages of condolence and to everyone who sent donations in memory of her late husband.