EXCLUSIVE

by Rebecca Hughes

Most people dread the day they are taken away in a wooden box, but a Rochester musician has already spent time in a hearse - after buying one as a makeshift bedroom.

John Lastauska, of Church Street, has been turning heads in the town after buying the second-hand classic Daimler.

The 32-year-old sleeps in the hearse - which he has named Harriet and has fitted with a mattress - when he drinks too much to drive home, visits friends or attends festivals.

He bought the vehicle on eBay for about £2,500 after ditching his idea of buying a camper van when prices rocketed because of the rise in "staycations".

Mr Lastauska, a music technician at a Rochester school, said: "It makes a statement, be it good or bad.

"I can tell by the look on people's faces that sometimes they think it's a bit disrespectful, but no one actually died in it. It's just a vehicle that has had a really sad life.

"It doesn't bother me sleeping in it. If you really think about it, people have died everywhere.

"How many people would have passed away in my Victorian house? The hearse just had a body in a coffin."

He even took his niece Natasha to her school prom in the hearse.

Mr Lastauska said: "We arrived between a pink limousine and a stretch Hummer and there were lots of people standing outside waiting to see her arrive.

"I don't think kids really care much unless they have been told to fear it."

However, Mr Lastauska has not had an entirely positive response from neighbours.

He said: "A woman came out and asked me to stop parking in a space because the woman opposite had just lost her husband and didn't want to see a hearse outside.

"Another guy complained, saying he didn't want to look out his window every morning to see it, but quite a few people in my street came over to have a look.

"I think they were quite surprised that I wasn't the type of person who just likes death and that I was actually quite approachable and well spoken.

"Every now and then someone will come up and say it's fabulous."