There were touching scenes in Hopton-on-Sea, as people lined the streets clapping to honour the life of a local mechanic.

Over forty people - some wearing the shirt of the mechanic's favourite football team - were outside St Margaret's Church to celebrate the life of Howard 'Shep' Shepherdson.

Mr Shepherdson's coffin was followed by thirty of his family and close friends as the hearse made its way from Station Road towards St Margaret's church in Hopton.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A maximum of thirty people are allowed to attend a funeral, so people gathered in the streets to pay tribute to Mr Shepherdson.A maximum of thirty people are allowed to attend a funeral, so people gathered in the streets to pay tribute to Mr Shepherdson. (Image: James Weeds)

Mr Shepherdson's coffin also had blue flashing lights on top, highlighting the sense of humour he had in life.

Current covid restrictions state that no more than thirty people may attend a funeral, so the gathering on the street was a way people could show their appreciation to Mr Shepherdson.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Norfolk Arsenal Supporters club stood a guard of honour for Howard Shepherdson.The Norfolk Arsenal Supporters club stood a guard of honour for Howard Shepherdson. (Image: The Shepherdson Family)

The Norfolk Arsenal Supporters club stood a guard of honour as Mr Shepherdson was carried into St Margaret's church by his son Aaran Shepherdson, nephew Adam Shepherdson and best friends David Ellis and Andrew Clifford.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Mr Shepherdson was carried into the church by his son Aaran Shepherdson, nephew Adam Shepherdson and best friends David Ellis and Andrew Clifford.Mr Shepherdson was carried into the church by his son Aaran Shepherdson, nephew Adam Shepherdson and best friends David Ellis and Andrew Clifford. (Image: The Shepherdson Family)

The mechanic, who was also the owner of Gorleston's 'Save n Drive', died aged 59 on Friday, April 16.

Mr Shepherdson passed away after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Childhood friend, Glen Harman, said: "Shep was an absolute nightmare, but in the funny sense.

"Back in the day, Howard sorted out the first coach trip from our school - Greenacre - to go to Highbury stadium for the day.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Tracy and Glen Harman were paying their respects to Howard Shepherdson.Tracy and Glen Harman were paying their respects to Howard Shepherdson. (Image: James Weeds)

"It was the first time I went and it was a great day, a great experience.

"Howard would always put a lot of trouble and effort into doing things like that."

Mr Shepherdson's funeral was finished off with Anthony Walsh flying over the ceremony doing loop the loops.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Pilot, Anthony Walsh flying over Howard 'Shep' Shepherdson's funeral.Pilot, Anthony Walsh flying over Howard 'Shep' Shepherdson's funeral. (Image: The Shepherdson Family)

Great Yarmouth Mercury: People gathered in the street as funerals can only have a maximum of thirty attendees under current Covid restrictions.People gathered in the street as funerals can only have a maximum of thirty attendees under current Covid restrictions. (Image: The Shepherdson Family)