A HORSE-drawn hearse carried the body of much-loved Lady Jane Hanham through the streets of Wimborne to her final resting-place.

The bells of Wimborne Minster rang to mark the funeral of Lady Hanham, held at the ancient church, before a group of mourners followed her hearse in procession to the family home at Deans Court, where she was to be interred.

Lady Hanham, who had cancer, was an active supporter of many local charities and organisations which one mourner described as, "being too many to mention."

Some 450 mourners and dignitaries packed the Minster for the service.

"She was always first to ask how your family was if you bumped into her. That was the type of person she was - always thinking about others," said Reg Cunningham, secretary of Wimborne & District Chamber of Trade, who attended the funeral.

"Her brother spoke during the service saying when they were children, and she would ask him to do something, he would refuse, as brothers do. So she would go and do it herself. She went through life like that, doing things for herself."

East Dorset councillor Don Wallace said: "She was a nice lady and will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her."

Lady Hanham, born Margaret Jane Thomas, married Sir Michael Hanham in 1954.

Sir Michael is the 12th baronet and present occupier of the manor house Deans Court in Wimborne.

Sir Michael survives, as does the couple's children.