Flamboyant Barry Upton was so determined to go out in a blaze of glory that he planned his funeral down to the finest detail.

The builder left instructions for it to be a happy celebration right down to a funeral procession complete with five-piece jazz band, horse-drawn hearse, stretch limousines and a Rolls Royce.

His plans fell into place as pedestrians along one of Brighton's busiest roads stood and smiled as the procession passed by.

Mr Upton's family, including partner Anne and daughters Leisa and Tracy followed him on his last journey down Lewes Road, from the business he started in Islingword Road to Downs Crematorium.

A jazz band accompanied the 58-year-old along the route, with people pausing to listen as the sound of New Orleans could be heard.

The service itself was planned to reflect the cheerful mood of celebration he wanted and included music by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman.

Mr Upton died after a long battle against cancer of the oesophagus.

Peter Mylton-Thorley, a friend and co-owner of Belmont Funeral Homes which co-ordinated the funeral, said Mr Upton was determined to go out in style.

Speaking on behalf of the family, he said: "He wanted it to be as flamboyant as possible because that's the type of person he was.

"He was a friendly, well-known character and worked hard to gain the reputation in life that people respected him for.

"He started as a plasterer and at the age of 21 started Upton Builders, where business is still booming.

"When he developed cancer he fought a long, hard battle to regain his strength and health but he didn't give up work, only retiring six days before he passed away."

It was the biggest funeral Mr Mylton-Thorley, 21, had arranged since last year when he became the youngest funeral director in the area.

He added: "He often spoke about his funeral to his family and agreed that all the mourners would enjoy the day in the sense it would be more of a celebration than a bereavement.

"He loved dancing, eating, theatre, wine and parties.

"He absolutely loved jazz and particularly wanted brass at his funeral.

"It is understandably very hard for his family, who are extremely upset, but they know this is what he wanted."

Lee Archer-Smith, Mr Mylton-Thorley's mother and a long-time friend of Mr Upton, said: "Because he was ill for such a long time he got it all in order before he went.

"He had gone through a lot of operations and fought the cancer very well.

"He wanted to go out in a blaze of glory, he didn't want a miserable occasion.

"That will be hard for his daughters who were very, very loving towards their dad."