Hundreds line Bristol streets for funeral of civil rights campaigner Roy Hackett

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Hundreds of people lined the streets of Bristol for the funeral of the pioneering civil rights campaigner Roy Hackett, who died at the age of 93.

Mr Hackett helped lead the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963 after the Bristol Omnibus Company refused to employ black and Asian drivers and conductors. After four months the 'colour bar' was eventually quashed paving the way for the Race Relations Acts of the 1960s.

The funeral cortege, which included a bus from 1959, drove through the city centre and past Bristol Bus Station where Mr Hackett made his stand nearly 60 years ago.

A service was then held at Elim Church in St Pauls where hundreds of people came to pay their respects to the "majestic" and "trail-blazing" Mr Hackett.

Chairman of SARI (Stand Against Racism and Inequality) Irvin Campbell said: "He was a pioneer and an icon. Not many will come close to stepping into his shoes."

Elaine McIntosh said: "Everyone in Bristol wants to be here today. It's one of those days you just cannot miss."

Janet McIntosh-Rose said: "So inspirational, so sad. But the stories he could tell were amazing."

Roy Hackett died at the age of 93 Credit: ITV West Country
Roy Hackett's funeral service Credit: ITV West Country

Mourners who attended the procession described him as an icon of the city and said: "You would just walk past him on the street and he'd have a chat to you.

"He's such a massively inspirational, international figure."

Another said: "I've been really lucky to live in St Werburgh's for years and I grew up in Bristol and his story is something I've known about since I was a little girl."

During the funeral, speeches and tributes were given by family, friends as well as the Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees. The eulogy was read out by broadcaster and friend Sherrie Eugene-Hart who paid tribute to what an extraordinary man Mr Hackett was.

Sherrie Eugene Hart said: "To see that bus go past with all those people in. Packed with black people. When you think and consider that would never of happened in the 60s. It was a moment to behold."

Jamaica flags were waved as Roy Hackett's coffin - decorated in Jamaican colours - passed through Bristol Credit: ITV West Country

Roy Hackett was one of thousands of men who arrived in Britain in the 1950s in search of a better life but he encountered racism in multiple cities before eventually settling in Bristol

His work to challenge the widespread inequality at the time is credited with helping to rewrite British law on race relations.

Mr Hackett was described as modest man, but through his activism and work in the community, his legacy will be felt for generations.