Darlington said goodbye to a well-known man today (Wednesday, August 3), who had become something of a 'Darlington legend.'

St John the Evangelist Church on Neasham Road in Darlington was filled with family and friends of Peter Woodmansey, known locally as Pete the Sweep, who died last month.

The former road sweeper for Darlington Borough Council of 35 years, retired in 2001. He was not ready to hang up his sweeping brush yet, however, and continued sweeping the roads of Darlington until he reached his mid-80s.

A Union flag theme was evident throughout with red, white and blue floral tributes.

Peter died peacefully at his home on Dinsdale Crescent on July 19, aged 86, with his good friend, Julie Whitehouse, by his side.

Julie Whitehouse led the procession from Peter's home on Dinsdale Crescent to St John the Evangelist Church on Neasham Road. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Mourners wearing union flag colours. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Plenty of union flags to wave Peter off. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Council workers from Darlington Borough Council also paid their respects to Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Mourners with union flags. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Reverend Caroline Ferguson. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Peter had worked for Darlington Borough Council as a road sweeper for 35 years and retired in 2001. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Despite being retired, Peter still liked to keep the roads clean and tidy until his health took a turn in his mid-80s. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Entering the church. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

Floral tributes with red, white and blue flowers were left in memory of Peter. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

A touching tribute from Peter's friends from Morrisons at Morton Park. Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.

We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.

Please report any comments that break our rules.

This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Editors' Code of Practice. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to inaccuracy or intrusion, then please contact the editor here. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can contact IPSO here

© 2001-2022. This site is part of Newsquest's audited local newspaper network. A Gannett Company. Newsquest Media Group Ltd, Loudwater Mill, Station Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. HP10 9TY. Registered in England & Wales | 01676637 |

Data returned from the Piano 'meterActive/meterExpired' callback event.

As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles.

Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services.

These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience – the local community.

It is important that we continue to promote these adverts as our local businesses need as much support as possible during these challenging times.