SOME £900 towards Ilminster’s Christmas lights was collected at the funeral of Ken Harper at the Minster.

Ken was a well-known and respected local businessman who started Harpers Insurance in East Street, Ilminster, more than 40 years ago.

He died on December 21 aged 91, just two months after his wife Valerie died.

The family decided that after taking Ken to the Ilminster Victorian Evening last November, when the town’s Christmas lights were switched on, and after everyone enjoyed it so much, that it would be fitting to give the collection to the Christmas lights committee in his memory.

Ilminster Christmas lights chairman Clinton Bonner said: “This was a very generous donation and is a true measure of the high regard for Ken in the town.

“The committee would like to thank Keith, Ros, Jill and family.

With this donation we hope to buy a new garland that we can place in East Street close to Harper Dolman West insurance brokers in his memory.”