THE funeral of longstanding Christchurch councillor Colin Bungey takes place on Friday morning.

It will be a small family gathering because of the current coronavirus restrictions.

But Cllr Bungey's funeral car will be driven past a number of locations in the borough to mark his unbroken 37 years of service to Christchurch as a hugely popular elected representative and honorary freeman.

And later in the year there will be a memorial service at the Priory to celebrate his life.

The route on Friday will begin at his home at St Catherine's Hill and take in Maundeville Road where he lived with his wife Sue for almost forty years before they moved a few months ago.

The car will then pause outside the town hall in the high street where the flag will be flown at half mast and at the BCP Council civic offices in Bridge Street. The funeral services takes place at 10am in Christchurch.

Cllr Bungey's family would welcome friends and residents paying their respects at the locations if they wish to.

The veteran independent councillor who also served as borough mayor passed away suddenly at home at the beginning of April.

He was first elected to Christchurch Council in 1983 for Jumpers ward and served continuously until last May when the council was abolished.

He was then elected to BCP Council that same month for Commons (Jumpers and St Catherine's) and his reputation for integrity led him to be appointed to chair the Standards Board.