A Teynham man was given a roaring send off when his coffin was carried to its final resting place on the back of a huge American truck.

Harrys Road resident Pete Garland passed away last month, aged 73, having been diagnosed with cancer three months previously.

The retired long-distance lorry driver was determined his last journey should be aboard his dream vehicle – a Kenworth American Big Rig.

His family ensured the wish came true, and his banana leaf casket was transported to Deerton Natural Burial Ground via the gleaming road giant, hired from an internet company.

His wife Chris, 61, said: “He always said when he retired he wanted to buy a Kenworth just to park it on the drive and take it to Sainsbury’s.

“The family were able to travel with the coffin and it was lovely to see it in people’s windows as we drove past.

“It was the perfect way to say goodbye to a wonderful father, grandfather and friend.”

Pete, a dad-of-two who also had two grandchildren, was able to fulfil another wish before his death on October 18.

Crippled with terminal illness, he walked his daughter Jodie up the aisle when she married at Tudor Park, Maidstone, in September.

Chris said: “The staff at Medway Maritime Hospital were amazing.

“They knew our daughter was getting married and they basically kept him alive on a kidney filtration machine for an extra week so he could attend.

“They even sent a charge nurse who stayed with him at the wedding.

“As he walked up the aisle, he had a crutch in one hand, and the other hand on our daughter’s arm with the charge nurse following behind.”

Following his retirement as a driver aged 65, Pete spent seven years as a volunteer at Sittingbourne’s Memorial Hospital.

Five days before he died, the family gathered for a final “Christmas Day” together on October 13.

They brought forward the season of goodwill with a tree, carols, champagne, crackers and turkey with all the trimmings.

“Even the district nurse came round wearing a hat and tinsel,” said Chris.

“It’s amazing how quickly you can get into the festive spirit. It was really lovely and really felt like Christmas Day.”