A minister returned to Largs after 20 years to conduct the funeral service of his former neighbour and a well loved local man, Jimmy Lawson.

The Rev. Melvyn Wood conducted proceedings at Clark Memorial Church saying "you'll never meet a better man than Jimmy."

The congregation heard that Jimmy (89), who died on July 18, had been from farming stock, served as a police detective and moved to Largs in the 70s to open a town centre shop.

Mr Wood said that not only had he had been his minister for 14 years but his friend and neighbour in Douglas Street, Largs where they socialised, particularly at New Year. He learned that whisky connoisseur Jimmy had a liking for good measures of Highland Park.

The minister pointed out that on the Largs People facebook page there had been 140 tributes after the sad news of his death with local folk remembering fondly his fancy goods and china shops in Main Street and, then, Bath Street where "everything from a needle to an anchor" could be purchased.

Jimmy had experienced sad times in his life with the deaths of former wives, Mary and Jenny, but had found love again with Alexa whom he married in Largs in 1991. They had celebrated their silver wedding anniversary this year.

As "an adopted dad and grandpa" Jimmy's stepson Peter and stepdaughter Susan paid tributes in church, calling him " a true gentleman" with a love of painting, gardening, fishing, curling and his prize poodles.

He was father-in-law to Graham and Kirsty and known as Pop to Max, Lucas, Crispin and Henry.

Jimmy's burial took place at Brisbane Glen Cemetery.