HUNDREDS of mourners attended the funeral of popular Burnham politician Neville Jones.

Former Mayor of Burnham four times and a former chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, Neville died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, August 16 at the age of 94.

His funeral service was held at a packed St Andrew's Church on Thursday, September 1 where tributes were paid by four speakers, Tom Ashton who worked with Neville to save Burnham's swimming pool, Mark Newman who spoke of Neville time as chairman of BARB, Mayor Michael Clarke and close friend and rival councillor Mike Murphy.

Mr Ashton said: "As you can expect St Andrews church was packed as Rev'd Graham Witts humourously commented, either to pay respects or to make sure he actually got buried.

"Neville put his head above the parapet more than anyone else would have, but all councillors respected the amazing work he put into the community to improve things as he saw fit."

Mark Newman discussed Neville's role as President of BARB and the unstinting encouragement and commitment. He was looking forward to helping celebrate BARB's 25 anniversary next year which sadly he will not now be able to do.

In his eulogy Mr Ashton spoke of the major roles Neville played in the Burnham and Area Medical Equipment Fund and its Christmas Appeal which raised £5,000 for a local man with cerebral palsy who needed a communication device following the death of his parents - which the community raised in 11 days.

"Neville was also key in his negotiations to save our swimming pool where he used his legendary oratory skills to persuade SDC to pass ownership to a young couple who were keen to keep the facility open," Mr Ashton said.

"The action group I chaired played a key role with over 7,000 signing a petition and public meetings packed to the rafters all desperate for the pool to be saved," he added.

Mayor Michael Clarke said as a local politician, Neville had done more for Burnham and Highbridge than any other councillor.