Tributes paid to popular engineer 'The Squire' ahead of his funeral

Eric Barrett followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Henry Hughes by managing H H Barrett's in Wroughton until the business ceased trading on its 100th anniversary in 1993.

The 94-year-old, known to many as The Squire, died on May 25 and will be taken to his final resting place on the back of a trailer he made himself.

Eric Barrett (Image: From public)

The procession will begin at the family home on 23 Moormead Road at 11.15am on Tuesday, June 20 and lead up Devizes Road and Church Hill before arriving at St John The Baptist and St Helen Parish Church by 11.45am.

His daughter Susan said: "He was a great historian, a gentleman, and a real character.

Eric Barrett (Image: Susan Barrett)

"He loved to tell stories and knew a lot about local history. It was fascinating to read about our family which he traced back to the 1600s. He was an intelligent and jolly man.

"His grandfather bought him a second-hand bandsaw when he was 14 and it's still in good condition today."

Eric's business was next to the family home and turned into a workshop known as The Bolt after it closed. Refreshments will be held there after the funeral.