THE funeral of a Hampshire builder who died in a blazing van is due to take place today.

Friends and family of Nick Davies say hundreds of people are expected to attend the service at Southampton Crematorium.

One of Mr Davies’s favourite watering holes was the Shirley Hotel in Shirley High Street.

Simply Funerals, which is organising the service, said the cortege would move off from the hotel at 1.30pm, with the service taking place 30 minutes later.

Mr Davies, 43, of Radstock Road, Southampton, died in a burning vehicle in Chandler’s Ford earlier this month after making an emotional farewell call to his best friend, Chris Buchanan.

Police are investigating his death but say there are no suspicious circumstances.