TO many, Ledbury ambulance technician Andy Kibble was a hero and a legend, and hundreds turned up for his funeral at Hereford Cathedral yesterday to pay their respects.

Even the air ambulance nodded in salute above the cathedral, as 600 people gathered within and a further 200 people lined Broad Street outside.

The cortege included a vintage ambulance, a "blue bomber' which once served Ledbury; a modern ambulance and motorcycle outriders.

Mr Kibble, was was 60, was perhaps best known in Ledbury for his battle to save the Bye Street Station, in his capacity as a Ledbury man, an advanced ambulance technician and the Unison chairman for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

In 2006 he led a successful campaign to keep the station open and received the town's Good Citizen Award, for his community spirit.

His widow, Jane Kibble, had nothing but praise this week for the honour shown to her husband by the West Midlands Ambulance Service, at the funeral.

She said: "The ambulance service pulled out all the stops and were just wonderful with all they did.

"Andy would have absolutely loved it. It was a wonderful day."

WMAS communications officer, Chris Kowalik said: "Traffic in the city’s Broad Street was brought to a standstill as the cortege arrived to a guard of honour of staff from across the region, and the sound of bagpipes. Andy’s coffin was brought into the cathedral to the theme tune to TV’s Formula One motor racing."

Mr Kibble enjoyed motorsports and as a rally driver he won the Mobil Challenge in 2000.

The funeral eulogy was given by Anthony Marsh, chief executive of WMAS.

He said: “I have a story to tell you about the day Andy took me around Ledbury; and I have to say, it was like a royal visit. Everybody was coming out of shops and welcoming Andy through the streets of Ledbury as if he were either a member of the royal family or a celebrity. You really needed to be there to witness it. It was a very extraordinary event."

Mr Marsh then paid tribute to Mr Kibble's work as a union branch secretary and his willingness to help others.

He said “Andy looked after us all. It didn’t matter if it was a new member of staff or the chief. I can remember the times when I got myself into the odd fix, I turned to Andy and Andy would say ‘Don’t worry boss. Leave it with me. I’ll sort it out.’ And he did.”

Mr Kibble, who for many years was chairman of Ledbury Town Football Club, was cremated at a private service today in Cinderford in Gloucestershire.

He leaves behind a wife, Jane, and two sons, Dean and Scott.