A regular of the Red Cow Pub, most well-known for bringing smiles to shoppers in Broad Street Mall, will be laid to rest on January 10.

Shaun Keywood, fondly nicknamed Little Shaun by his friends, passed away aged 49 on October 21 – just as they were planning his 50th birthday celebrations.

Reading residents donated more than £1,500 to his funeral fund but after the council took care of it, the money was used to buy 144 Christmas presents for children at Royal Berkshire Hospital, where Shaun died.

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to celebrate his life and bring together everyone who cared for him," said friend and organiser Ira Forina-Ridgwell.

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Anyone can attend the funeral held at Reading Crematorium on January 10, 9.45am, after which The Red Cow Pub, in Star Road, will open early for a drink in his memory.

Flowers for the service have been donated by Cherubs Floral Design.

Around £90 of the funds donated to Shaun’s funeral has been kept aside to commission a commemorative plaque.