FAMILY, friends and crew members gathered together to bid a final farewell to lifeboat volunteer Ben Hirst.

A flag was draped over the coffin which was carried through Rhyl on the inshore lifeboat station. Family and crew gathered outside the lifeboat for a minute's silence.

Ben was a father to two sons. Picture: Phil Micheu

A guard of honour was provided by the crew and hundreds of mourners packed out St Thomas's church for the service on Wednesday, January 16. A service at St Asaph crematorium followed.

Ben, 35, described as a "gentle giant", was well-known in the town for his bodybuilding and help at gyms. He was a father of two and had represented Wales as a finalist for Britain’s Strongest Man.

Ben had been with the lifeboat at Rhyl for more than four years

The former Rhyl High School pupil, who went by the nicknames of ‘Big Ben’ and ‘Ding-Dong’, died suddenly on Saturday, December 22.

Martin Jones, Rhyl RNLI Coxswain, said: "Although Ben had only been with the RNLI for a few years, he immediately endeared himself to the crew.

The cortege then proceeded to St. Thomas' church for the service, where the crew bore him in and out of the church. Picture: Phil Micheu

"He was a valued crew member, and we will miss the Big Man and his mischievous sense of humour."

Ben had been with Rhyl lifeboat for more than four years.

He had taken part in many rescues and was branded a 'hero' in 2016 when he rushed to the aid of a girl in 2016 after she was hit by a vehicle on Churton Road.