OVER 850 people from all over Devon gathered at Exeter Cathedral this weekend for a very special service.

Tony Beard, better known as the Wag from Widecombe, passed away last year, and this Saturday (January 28th) saw a thanksgiving service for his life at the Cathedral.

Moving tributes were paid to Tony from family, BBC work colleagues and friends in a service which saw his grandchildren perform a rendition of the Beatles’ Blackbird.

We’ll have a full report and more pictures of the service for one of Dartmoor’s most-loved characters in next weeks Mid-Devon Advertiser.