Hundreds gather in Workington to remember popular Michael Jenkins

Mourners gathered at St Michael's Church in Workington to pay tribute to Michael Jenkins, who died suddenly on June 4 whilst working in the town of Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire.

The coffin was adorned with floral tributes, which included a floral display of Michael's name in white carnations scattered with blue roses.

The ‘special character’ was remembered fondly during the service, with some of those closest to him recounting funny stories about Michael - of which there were many.

Tributes were also paid to the late Nicholas Degraff who was Michael's ‘best friend’.

Mourners gathered outside of St Michaels church before the service. (Image: NQ staff)

Mourners were told of Michael's great love for those closest to him and especially his grandfather ‘pop’ who he adored.

‘Leave a Light On' by Tom Walker was played during the service as well as the Jamie Webster song ‘Weekend in Paradise’, as Michael’s coffin left the church.

Tributes were paid during the service by Michael’s best friend and sister Rachel, who first met the man nicknamed ‘Jenk’ at secondary school.

The pair were said to have quickly become friends after finding out they lived only round the corner from each other, with Michael soon becoming part of the family.

Rachel said: “How lucky I am to have had Michael in my life for 13 years.

“If Michael loved you, he loved you with everything he had.”

Mourners also heard how much Michael loved his fiancée Heidi, who had first met him in Padua’s Bar, Workington.

There was laughter among the tears in the church, as she told the service how the animal lover had bought her a live duck one Christmas, which the couple kept as a pet.

Heidi described her fiancé as a man with ‘the heart of a lion’ who lived ‘unapologetically’ and was ‘truly amazing’.

Michael worked on boats for most of his adult life and was said to be ‘a pirate at heart’, working in different places around the country.

He also had an interest as a teenager in mixed martial arts, meeting MMA instructor Pat Carr at the age of 14 who quickly became one of his best friends, with the pair enjoying camping trips, going out and various different adventures with each other.

Speaking at the service, Mr Carr said: “He was funny, loving and he had a heart of gold.

“Friends are the family you choose for yourself; Michael was always classed as part of my family.”

The service was followed by a burial at Salterbeck Cemetery.

This service was attended with the permission of the family of Michael Jenkins.