THE funeral of one of Southampton's music scene's best-known faces is being held tomorrow.

"Mint" Burston was the man who persuaded the likes of Oasis, the Manic Street Preachers, Radiohead and Coldplay to play at The Joiners Arms in St Mary's as the bands were starting out on their careers.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the man credited with establishing the pub on the country's gig circuit recently lost a long battle with bowel cancer.

Mint's funeral will be held at one of his favourite places in the New Forest, where he spent much time during his illness.

The service starts at 2.30pm at Beaulieu Woodland Burial Ground at Gridlingstone, Beaulieu, and is followed by a wake at The Joiners.

A request has been made that no flowers are sent.

Instead, well-wishers are asked to make a donation to The Forest of Dennis, Felix Dennis' office, 9-11 Kingsley Street, London W18 5PN, by sending a cheque marked "MINT" on the back.

For every £1 donated a sapling will be planted in Mint's memory.