IT WAS a fitting end to a colourful life.

Lockwood grandmother Margaret Harper had only one dying wish – that no-one wore black to her funeral.

Friends and family rallied around this week to dress as brightly as possible to celebrate the 81-year-old’s life.

And funeral director and family friend Deborah Ingham stuck to her promise by leading the cortege dressed as jester.

The funeral procession turned heads in Lockwood as it slowly made its way towards Huddersfield crematorium.

Mourners then gathered at Lockwood Baptist Church – where Margaret was a member and ran the Sunday school for many years – for a celebration of her life.

Her daughter Geri Harper, 55, said: “There was a big cheer and laughter when everyone saw the procession. Someone even said ‘only at Margaret Harper’s funeral could they turn up and everyone bursts into laughter.’

“That is what she would have wanted.

“Debbie is a friend of the family and used to live next door to us when she was a kid.

“When she became a funeral director, my mum would tell her there was no way she would wear black to her funeral.

“She was even going to knit Debbie a poncho but never got around to it.

“That was her only request at her funeral, that everyone would wear bright clothes.”

Margaret, who lived on Moor End Road, was married to Alan, who died 18 months ago.

The great-grandmother had two children Geri and Stephen who died four years ago.

She devoted her life to working with children as a teaching assistant at Crosland Moor Infant School and running a playgroup in Crosland Moor.

Margaret was also dedicated to her church and organised Christian summer classes in Greenhead Park and ran Lockwood Baptist Church’s Sunday school, only retiring three years ago.

Deborah Ingham, who runs Huddersfield Funeral Service, said: “It was a bit embarrassing but I was proud to do what Margaret would have wanted.

“I think it was a good idea if that’s what families want.

“It’s not disrespectful at all. You can do your grieving before and after but you celebrate their life on that day and it will be remembered for a long time.”

Margaret suffered from bowel cancer and died at Kirkwood Hospice’s temporary base at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Geri added: “She didn’t suffer for a long time and I cannot fault Kirkwood Hospice. They were wonderful. She didn’t have a minute’s pain and it was such a peaceful end.”

Her funeral raised more than £300 which will be shared between the hospice and Lockwood Baptist Church’s causes.