MOURNERS have been invited to pay their respects safely at the funeral of a 'music legend'.

Terry Turner, a jazz drummer and founder of R&T Music in Barrow, died after a short illness and leaves behind his wife Linda and children, Phil, Andy and Jill.

A small funeral service is due to be held at Thorncliffe Crematorium to remember the devoted dad.

With only a small number of people able to attend the service due to Covid restrictions, those who wish to pay their respects have been invited to do so by listening outside.

The service is due to take place at 10am on Monday.

Mr Turner leaves behind his wife Linda and children, Phil, Andy and Jill.

He has been fondly remembered following his death.

Andy Turner described his dad as a ‘funny and generous man’ who loved Barrow and the people in it.

“I take great solace in the fact that dad always told me he had no regrets, how lucky he was to have led such a rich, full life and how he’d connected with so many great friends and fellow musicians along the way," he said.

“He was my best friend, a funny, generous man who taught me everything I needed to know about work, life, music and the importance of family.

“He loved Barrow and the people in it and would have been thrilled to know how much this was reciprocated.”

Mr Turner started R&T Music, in Dalkeith Street, in 1977 and remained part of the business long after he handed over the ownership to friend and co-worker Vaughan Phelps in the early 1990s.

He saw thousands of musicians pass through the door.

Mr Phelps, who first met Mr Turner in his teens, described him as a ‘father-figure’ who will leave a long-lasting legacy in the town.

He said: “He was loyal, funny, unique, observant and always managed to carry some authority with him."

Mr Turner was born and raised in Dalton.

His father Billy, a talented painter, introduced him to jazz at an early age and bought him his first drum kit.