TRIBUTES have been paid to "an adopted son of Barrow" who chose not to tell his friends that he was living on the streets.

Paul Hawkrigg died in "desperately sad and tragic" circumstances when the homeless 60-year-old was found by a member of the public in bushes close to Channelside at the back of Premier Tiles in Barrow earlier this month.

Mr Hawkrigg had recently been discharged from hospital, following an operation to remove a brain tumour.

At a funeral partly funded by Barrow Borough Council and partly funded by donations made by members of the public, friends and some members of Mr Hawkrigg's extended family yesterday gathered to say goodbye.

The Reverend Allan Mitchell began the service by thanking a number of individuals including including Barrow man Liam Fenton who set up the public fundraising appeal to help to pay for the funeral. Around 25 people attended the service, which was held at the graveside at Barrow Cemetery.

Rev Mitchell described how Mr Hawkrigg had died in "desperately sad and tragic circumstances" but thanks to information provided by friends and family, was able to talk about the "adopted son of Barrow's" life at length.

Mr Hawkrigg had been born in Workington, where he worked as a civil servant, before he moved to Barrow. During his time in Barrow, he worked in a number of pubs and bars including the White House Hotel, the Tally Ho, Preston Street Club and the King Alfred on Walney.

A number of Mr Hawkrigg's friends, including those who knew him from attending St Mark's Church in Buccleuch Street in Barrow, said he had taken particular care not to allow anyone to discover he had been homeless.

Zirvana Smith, who said she would have taken Mr Hawkrigg in had she known about his circumstances, spoke fondly of her friend during the service.

She said: "I knew Paul since 1999, he had a heart of gold. I was a single mum and had just lost my son, he helped me to look after my daughter.

"He never had a bad word to say about anybody."

The £809 raised by members of the public was put towards the funeral costs, which are met by Barrow Borough Council. Elaine Burley, the owner of Oasis Florists in Barrow and Daisy Chain in Dalton, kindly created a coffin spray free of charge with the note "Rest in peace, have a safe journey. From Oasis Florists and all the Barrow community who knew you".