Smoker uses funeral to warn others

Albert Whittamore, known as Dick, died last month aged 85 after suffering for years from emphysema, a progressive lung condition he blamed on his habit.

He wanted the ill-effects of his smoking to act as a warning to others and dictated in his will that the signs should be placed inside his hearse as it passed through his home town of Dover in Kent.

Another of the signs was placed at Mr Whittamore's graveside, according to his wishes.

Funeral director Paul Sullivan said: "Although he had reached the age of 85, he had been suffering for a while and wanted to do his bit to warn others about smoking.

"He specified that that's what he wanted in his will. We gave it some thought but after a while we decided that that's what he had requested."

Mr Whittamore, who ran a small printing business in a shop below his home, was forced to use a motorised wheelchair in his later years as his health faltered.

A spokesman for the stop smoking charity Quit said: "We understand Dick had emphysema, which is a lung condition caused by smoking which results in people struggling for breath.

"Dick is sending out a strong message to smokers as he doesn't want others to suffer."