More than 100 friends of one of Huddersfield’s best known barmen are to give him a spectacular send off.

Steve Johnson, who died last month, had worked on the railways most of his life.

But given his love of real ale it was no surprise that he enjoyed working in some of the town’s top pubs including The Sportsman and The Grove, The Lower Royal George, Scammonden, The Cellar Bar in Batley as well as the Dog and Partridge, Sowood.

Now regulars are to say goodbye to him on Friday morning by clambering aboard two vintage buses, an AEC Regent V and a Dennis Dart, in recognition of his lifelong fascination with railways and buses.

The buses will pick up from the Dog and Partridge and The Grove and head to his funeral service at Huddersfield Crematorium, to be held at 10.30am.

Robert Sutcliffe talks about plans for Steve's funeral

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Afterwards both buses will adjourn to the Dog and Partridge in order to raise a glass or three in memory of the 62-year-old and join in a celebration of his life.

His younger brother Rod said: “He was fanatical about railways and buses so it is great that he is going to get this send off and thanks to Lance Blackman and John Wright for providing the buses.”

The Dog & Partridge, Forest Hill Road, Sowood.

Steve was born in Ravensthorpe but spent much of his youth in Skelmanthorpe and attended Holme Valley Grammar School.

After leaving school he spent a short spell working for Thomas Cook in Huddersfield before leaving to work for British Rail. He worked as a guard, based at Huddersfield Rail Station.

Rod added: “He stayed there until he retired in 2008 aged 56/57 and then enjoyed a year travelling the world.

“He was particularly fond of Belgium, Germany and the Isle of Man.

“He then got a number of casual jobs including being an extra on TV series as diverse as Waterloo Road, Emmerdale, Shameless, Hearbeat and The Royal.”

Additionally he used to work helping as a steward at car parks on racecourses across Yorkshire.

Rod added: “He was a big real ale enthusiast too and had been a member of CAMRA since the 1970s. He loved organising brewery trips and I can’t think of a brewery he didn’t go to.

The Grove, Springwood, Huddersfield.

“He would take parties down to Fullers brewery in London and on one memorable occasion he conducted the tour when the bloke didn’t have time as he had been round so often!

“And he loved buses and railways so much. He could almost quote you their time tables verbatim.

“He also liked good food and was a member of the SAS, the Sausage Association Scammonden.

“He was a member of the RSPB and also a keen member of the RNLI thanks to taking family holidays in the Isle of Man.”

Steve died from throat cancer at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary at 4am on July 26 having being admitted the previous day.

Rod said: “We had high hopes that he would recover but it was not to be.”