A VICAR even donned an Elvis Presley wig as hundreds of people gathered to say goodbye to a rock 'n' roller dad-of-four who died after a two-year battle with cancer.

Richard 'Ricky' Sharples’ coffin was brought on a horse-drawn hearse to Pleasington Crematorium from his daughter’s home in Mill Hill.

Family and friends wore yellow and black clothing in the 63-year-old’s memory, who himself was wearing his trademark yellow jacket.

The Rev Ken Howles donned a Elvis Presley wig as a tribute to Mr Sharples, from Shadsworth, who was a huge fan of the rock and roll star’s music.

An American flag depicting Mr Presley’s face was also draped over one of the horses.

As family and friends made their way into the crematorium You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban was played.

During the service Rev Howles said Mr Sharples was one of 10 siblings, had worked as a builder and had a ‘Del Boy’ type character.

He said: “He had a very close family and they got up to all sorts of things.

“He used to sit outside the pub dressed as Guy Fawkes and when someone walked past he would scare the life out of them.

“He loved his car boots and his second hand shops.

“He liked dressing up and he loved singing and karaoke.”

Mr Sharples was told he had months to live after being diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer in June 2017.

The cancer then spread to his kidney, lungs and blood and on March 23 Mr Sharples died at his home in Gleneagles Court, Blackburn, surrounded by friends and family.

Donna Taggart’s Jealous Of The Angels and a rendition of It’s Too Hard To Say Goodbye was also played during the service.

A few of Mr Sharples’ grandchildren also read out a poem.

Granddaughter Freya said: “Heaven has received an angel.

“You will always hold a special place in my heart.

“You simply were the best.”

Rev Howles said: “Today we say goodbye to Ricky, a top man."

Mr Sharples, who was born in Darwen, was a dad to Andrea, Gareth, Richard and Tammy.