Heartfelt tributes have poured in for Nottingham's 'number one scrap man' as around 30 vans showed up for his funeral. Wayne Newcombe, who was described as a "man who would help anybody", died on April 4 aged 60.
He had a passion for collecting antiques - so much that his house and garden resembles 'Del Boy's yard' according to his family. Mr Newcombe, of Carlton, worked seven days a week and was battling cancer in the last year of his life.
The dad of five was described as a 'happy man' who was keeping his impressive collection of more than a thousand antique items in his home and backyard. His niece, Laura Collins, has spoken of the large funeral at Wilford Hill Crematorium where more than 300 gathered to pay their respects.
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She said: "It was a really big funeral. Even the funeral directors said they have never seen anything like it.
"He was very well-known in his line of work. He was the number one scrap man of Nottingham.
"At least 30 scrap vans went from his house to the scrap yard, where he would load in his scrap - so this was his final load. His coffin was on a funeral kind of scrap van style."
The 37-year-old added: "He was just a very well-known happy man that would just help anybody. He was like a Del Boy - he would collect antique collectibles, and he lived in a bungalow that looked like Del Boy's yard with all his antiques, ornaments and trinkets.
Mr Newcombe also raised money for cancer charities - and donated toys to children. He was also nicknamed Jack the Lad, his family said.
"If something was worth a pound, he thought it was worth £100. His house was literally a shrine, and he would give people so much of his stuff because he was thinking he was doing a nice thing.
"And it probably was a load of rubbish to people - but he was so passionate about it. He would work seven days a week."
His sister Julie Collins, of Bestwood, also paid tribute to her late brother, adding: "He had a massive heart. He was always there to help anyone.
"He thought everything was antique, even when it was not. His collection grew bigger and bigger."
The heartbroken 62-year-old added: "He was one of six children. And he was the one that was always in trouble."
His nephew Ashley Newcombe, of Bestwood, said he saw in his uncle a 'dad figure'. It was after his dad died six months before when he got closer with his uncle.
The 30-year-old added: "Once my dad passed away six months ago, he looked after me. He was like a dad.
"He was a character - he was hilarious. Everyone loved him. It is heart-breaking.
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