When a postman who loved birds of prey died, a funeral director knew just what to do for the right send-off.

Melvin Elliott passed away last month after 31 years’ working for the Royal Mail doing his rounds in Sittingbourne and Conyer.

The 71-year-old loved birds of prey and his wife. Heather, PA to the mayor, mentioned this to funeral director Alex Whitmey.

Mrs Elliott, who lived with her husband in Sittingbourne, said: “We’d been married 39 years and he died on my birthday.

“I was with my step-daughter, Liz, when we were talking to Alex and I noticed he had some gold bird cufflinks.

“We just got talking and said it would be amazing to have a bird at the funeral.

“We were both birdwatchers and he loved feeding them in the garden and was particularly fond of birds of prey.”

And so it was the goshawk took pride of place at Mr Elliot’s cortege.

The postman was born in London and worked for a gentlemen’s outfitters then took jobs at several power stations.

He worked for Sittingbourne Post Office until he retired at 58.

But he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in September.

The funeral, at Bobbing Crematorium, was also attended by mayors of Swale past and present, including Cllr Lesley Ingham.

Mr Whitmey, of William Whitmey Funeral Directors in Sittingbourne, said: “I’ve always kept birds – I’ve flown everything from kestrels to golden eagles, so I said I could bring my goshawk.

“I’ve never not had a bird. In the past I’ve had about 30 or 40.

“I walked in front of the hearse, and I’ve never done a funeral with a bird on my hand before.

“The crematorium said it had never seen anything like it so it was a first for them as well.”

He added: “Everyone loved it – when it comes to funerals I always say the answer is yes, now what’s the question?”

And Mrs Elliott said: “It was a lovely touch.”