AN 83-year-old Saints fan from Thatto Heath was saved from a pauper's funeral thanks to his fellow punters and friends from a London pub.

When former royal artilleryman Ray Millington died in his home at Kings Cross London, his friends searched far and wide for relatives and friends in his hometown – even taking to the People of St Helens Facebook group to track them down.

However, despite the post getting shared more than 850 times, no one came forward – and with little money left in his name, Saints fan Ray faced a pauper's funeral.

But his friends at the Northumberland Arms in Kings Cross decided they wouldn't let this happen and raised the £1,700 needed to give Ray the Saintly send off he deserved.

Ray had a coffin draped in the Saints flag before he was cremated at Golders Green in London, yesterday, Thursday, June 21.

One of his neighbours Tommy Kearney, 49, who is originally from Whiston, said: "Despite my post being shared more than 850 times, no one came forward to say they knew Ray and we just couldn't allow poor Ray to have a pauper's grave.

"Ray may not have had any relatives, but we were his family.

"We raised the amount needed to give him the funeral he deserved, true friendship is priceless

"I work at a university in Regents Park and I asked the gardeners there to do a bouquet which was lovely for him.

"The vicar even said 'Not everyone is festooned in blooms, from the Royal Parks' and I felt proud at that.

"Ray was a huge Saints fan and always talked about his hometown despite living in London for many years, so I am going to bring him home.

"If anyone knows where Ray's ashes can be laid to rest, please let me know.

"It was an honour to send Ray on his journey."

To get in touch with Tommy message him via Facebook at @tommy.kearney.12