Friends dressed as cowboys and Indians to grant the dying wish of retired Oxfordshire farmer and wild west fan William 'Tex' Birch.

Two of his most treasured items, a traditional feathered American Indian bonnet and peace pipe, sat on top of Mr Birch's coffin as it was carried into St Mary's Church, North Leigh, on Thursday.

His 77-year-old wife, Muriel, herself an avid country and western and wild west fan known to friends as 'Whistler', dressed in American Indian costume to pay tribute and fulfil his final wish.

Friends from about ten country and western clubs across Oxfordshire and from further afield, of which Mr Birch was a member, dressed in traditional costumes to attend the funeral and say a final farewell.

Mr Birch, 66, had been suffering heart problems and died suddenly on Friday, August 18, after collapsing in the bedroom of his home in Windmill Road, North Leigh.

His wife said she knew straight away that she must organise a cowboys and Indians theme for the retired farmer's funeral.

She said: "Tex fell in love with cowboys and Indians, and country and western, when he was six, after going to the pictures.

"He idolised John Wayne and made contact with American Indians and his bedroom is full of artefacts. He even spoke one of the native American dialects."

Mr Birch grew up in Budley, near Kidderminster, and met his wife at a country and western holiday event in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, in 1991.

They dressed up in their costumes to marry 12 years ago at a country and western-themed wedding.

Mr Birch never had any children, but became stepfather to three daughters and one son.

Mrs Birch said: "Cowboys and Indians, the Wild West, everything like that - it meant everything to him.

"He always said to me that he wanted a cowboy and Indians funeral, so I had to do it and give him a good send off."

His favourite country and western songs, You are My Best Friend and On the Road Again, were played at his funeral service, before cremation at Oxford Crematorium.