BUCKS firefighters turned out in force for the funeral of their former colleague John McGee - with his family saying they were 'overwhelmed' by the turn-out.

The 57-year-old Beaconsfield firefigher lost his battle with cancer on October 16. He had been tackling fires in south Buckinghamshire for more than 30 years and lived next to the fire station in Skelton Close, Holtspur.

His funeral was held at St Teresa's Catholic Church on Warwick Road on Thursday morning, and firefighters lined the road into the church as the hearse passed through.

His only child, James McGee, 24, said: “After so long it's nice to know there's that support there, not just for dad but for the family as well.

“It was overwhelming because the fire service has really been his life.”

John McGee, who was also a season ticket holder at Wycombe Wanderers, was born in Ireland in 1954, but moved to High Wycombe with his parents at a young age.

He trained as a firefighter in 1979 and worked at High Wycombe fire station before moving to Beaconsfield in 1986.

In 1992 he helped tackle the huge blaze at Windsor Castle, and the helmet he wore that day was placed on his coffin at the funeral.

John's sister, Maria Austin, 54, said: “It was just an honour to be his sister, he was a hero and a smashing bloke.

Mum Kathleen McGee, 75, said: “He was a wonderful son and I was very proud he was a firefighter for so long.”

Beaconsfield station commander Keith Williams said last week: “John was a great role model for firefighters. Not only was he very passionate and enthusiastic about the fire service, but he cared a lot about the community.”