A CREWE landlady was given a nostalgic send off with a horse and carriage funeral procession past her former pub.

Brenda Kay managed The Vine on Earle Street in the 1990s, during which time it was renowned as a karaoke pub.

She had moved recently to Southsea in Portsmouth, where she passed away, aged 75, on May 7.

But she was fondly remembered by her former neighbours in Badger Avenue who came out of their homes to pay their respects as her funeral cortege made its way to Crewe Crematorium on Tuesday afternoon .

The carriage also took time to pause outside Brenda's former hostelry, which is now an apartment block.

The classy tribute was the idea of granddaughter, Carly Thomas, 33, who says she spent many happy times with her grandmother and recalls the music and regular events at The Vine.

"I've got so many great memories of her keeping The Vine with my grandad. It was a B&B as well and we would always go over as a family at Christmas. There'd always be karaoke on," said Carly, who lives in Portsmouth.

"They are happy memories as they were always doing stuff, fun events for charity, and so forth in the car park. There was always something going on and it was nice for us growing up."

Brenda had four children, Joanne, Kevin, Gavin and the late Michael.

Originally from Winsford, she spent most of her life in Crewe with her stint as Vine landlady, which she managed with husband, George, coming between 1993 and 1998. She later worked at Corbetts bookmakers on Underwood Lane until she took retirement.

George passed away eight years ago, although the couple had separated by then.

"She wanted to move down south for a long time and be near me because we were very close. She was like a mum to me," said Carly.

"Because of lockdown she wanted to come and spend the rest of her days down here. She got a flat in Southsea and we moved her down. But she was only here six weeks; she suffered a brain aneurysm and it was very sudden."

Carly said her grandmother's long-standing wish was to be carried by a horse-drawn hearse and she was determined to see it happen.

"It was a really nice funeral and lots of people came up to the crematorium. A lot of neighbours stood outside on Badger Avenue and waved her off. We did a little trip around town and we went past the pub for a little finale," she added.

"My nan had always said she wanted a horse and carriage funeral and she left a handwritten note."

• Brenda's funeral was arranged by Crewe Funeral Services.