A "LOVELY, lovely guy" who saved hundreds of lives during his 37 years with the ambulance service is being mourned by family and friends.

Former colleagues of Roy Woodberry, who died at St Margaret's Hospice, Bishop's Hull, aged 71, will form a guard of honour at his funeral tomorrow (Wednesday) at Taunton Deane Crematorium, at 12.30pm.

Mr Woodberry, of Hilly Park, Norton Fitzwarren, joined Somerset Ambulance Service based at its Taunton station in 1970, moving to Bridgwater seven years later until his retirement on his 60th birthday in 2007.

His daughter, Michelle, said he was born in the village, where he attended the local school, and before joining the ambulance service had worked for Fox Brothers, in Wellington, and Taunton Cider, close to the family home.

Speaking to his time on the ambulances, she added: "He absolutely loved going to work and helping people. He saved hundreds of lives.

"Outside work he helped people - whether it was cutting grass or putting a shelf up, he was a genuinely good guy.

"He was very loving and we're so proud of him.

"He loved his dogs, particularly German shepherds and was a qualified dog trainer.

"He lived life to the full."

Former colleague Barry Routley regularly met Roy at weekly Frac-Pac get-togethers of retired ambulance staff.

He said: "Everybody knew him. He was a lovely, lovely guy who would watch your watch your back, the sort of guy

you'd want to work with.

"We all thought really highly of him. He loved his job and worked all the hours he could. He was a real asset to the ambulance service."

Mr Woodberry leaves two children, Michelle and Ian, grandchildren Naomi and Nathan and great granddaughter Sapphire.

Funeral arrangements are by Quantock Funeral Services, with donations in lieu of flowers for St Margaret's Hospice and The British Lung Foundation.