Mr Hodgkinson was 65 when he died suddenly at his home in Tag Lane, Ingol, last week.

Born and bred in Ingol, dealing in timber, stone and slate, grass cutting and working for farmers were just some of the jobs he was well-known for across the city.

He was rarely seen without his tractor, earning him the nickname Tractor Norman.

And in a final, fitting tribute, a fleet of 11 tractors escorted Norman on his final journey from Brown Funerals in Woodplumpton Road, Ashton, to St Margaret's Church at Ingol.

At the front was Norman's own orange JWD Field Master machine, with floral wreathes on either side reading "Norman" and "Dad". On the front a third wreath had been cut into the shape of a tractor.

At the church, hundreds of family, friends and former colleagues turned out to honour his memory.

Anthony Felton, 51, of Preston firm Feltons and a life-long friend of Mr Hodgkinson, said: "He was with me and my son having dinner with us the day before he died.

"He has been working a long, long time, he knew plant hire people, farmers, people in the demolition trade, he was one of life's characters.

"Norman was just Norman. He was someone you could talk to and spend hours talking to and he would do a favour for anyone."

Pete Marquis, 37, owner of Pete Marquis Contractors and Plant Hire and a childhood friend of Mr Hodgkinson, said: "He was a proper character, you would not meet someone like him again."

Following the funeral a service was held at Preston Crematorium.
Mr Hodgkinson leaves a daughter Caroline and a brother Frank.