Dominic Bareham TEARS mixed with laughter as 200 friends and relatives packed into St Andrew's Church in Gorleston to bid a fond farewell to popular Gorleston man Dwayne Clucas, who died in a car crash.

Dominic Bareham

TEARS mixed with laughter as 200 friends and relatives packed into St Andrew's Church in Gorleston to bid a fond farewell to popular Gorleston man Dwayne Clucas, who died in a car crash.

Family members wiped their eyes and hugged each other as they followed Mr Clucas's coffin in the church's rear door past a floral tribute in the church grounds bearing the words “At the end of the day,” which the 31-year-old often used at the start of sentences.

The refrain of one of his favourite songs - Snow Patrol's Chasing Cars - could be heard as the procession filed towards the altar.

The keen Everton Football Club fan died after his Rover was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Corsa on the A47 Norwich bypass at Caistor St Edmund at 8.15pm on Wednesday, May 20.

The former Shrublands youth footballer in Gorleston was heading back from Leicester, to which he had travelled with his housemate, Jason Norven, to collect a set of golf clubs from Mr Norven's father.

Moving tributes were paid to the former offshore rig worker, led by his girlfriend Michelle who gave a reading called “I'm Free” before his brother Craig, 26, spoke of the positive impact he had had on people he met through his generosity and kindness.

Fighting back tears, he said: “Everyone who has spent time with Dwayne will know what a true gent he was. I have tried writing a speech or words, but no speech or words will ever do him justice really.

“He made a big impact on our lives and I am going to miss him forever. I loved him so much, he was my big brother and he loved you all.

“Every single person he met knew that he was the most gentle, generous man you could ever wish to meet. He would be the life and soul of every party he went to.”

The Rev Helen Ward, associate vicar of St Andrew's, had the congregation laughing with stories about Dwayne's early childhood and how he used to fight with his brothers and sisters because he took so long doing his hair in the bath-room. She also caused amusement by describing how the father-of-two, who was born in St Ives but moved to Gorleston aged three, managed to shut one of his rigs for a week after dropping his pliers down a well.

The hymns All Things Bright and Beautiful and Give Me Joy In My Heart were sung before the congregation left for a cremation service at Gorleston Crematorium. This was followed by a wake at the Ocean Room in Gorleston with a DJ in the evening.

Mr Clucas leaves two children, Harley and Harmony, and other members of his family, who all live at Gorleston. They include parents George and Jan, sisters Sarah and Heidi and Craig.

He attended Herman Middle and Oriel High School in Gorleston.

Anyone with information about the accident should phone PC Michael Robertson of the Norfolk police serious collision investigation team on 0845 4564567.