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Keith Flint funeral: Prodigy fans urged to 'raise roof' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Fans of The Prodigy have travelled from abroad to pay tribute to frontman Keith Flint. | |
Well-wishers from the Czech Republic and the Netherlands were among those arriving in Braintree, Essex, before a funeral procession through the town. | |
Floral tributes from America were also placed outside St Mary's Church in Bocking, where the musician will be laid to rest at about 16:00 GMT. | |
Flint, 49, was found dead at his home near Dunmow on 4 March. | Flint, 49, was found dead at his home near Dunmow on 4 March. |
Essex Police said it was expecting "a large number of well-wishers" to line the streets after Flint's bandmates called on fans to "raise the roof for Keef". | |
Before the ceremony began, fans of the band began to gather to pay their respects. | |
'Like losing a mate' | |
Marie Lelicova, 25, travelled from Prague to remember Flint, whom she said she had "loved since she was a child". | |
"He is part of my life," she said. "He is the person who showed me the way to live. I wanted to say goodbye and say thank you." | |
Braintree resident Rachel Moore told how she had "grown up" listening to The Prodigy and said the band "put Braintree on the map". | |
"They made us proud of where we came from," she said. "Their music underlined our upbringing." | |
Rob Reilly, manager of The Leather Bottle pub in Pleshey - which Flint used to run - also told how the musician's Firestarter ale had been put back on tap as a tribute to him. | |
Another Braintree local Gary Dring, 35, attended the funeral procession in the boiler suit Flint wore in the 1992 Outer Space video. | |
Branding him "a legend", Mr Dring said Flint was "one of my all-time heroes" and he had been "gutted" to hear of his death. | |
"Growing up listening to his music got me through good and bad times," he said. "It's like losing a mate but that's why we're here today, to give him a good send-off." | |
In a statement, Essex Police urged local residents "to be mindful of potential delays". | In a statement, Essex Police urged local residents "to be mindful of potential delays". |
The procession will arrive the church at 15:30, where a service will be held for family and close friends. | |
Local schools closed from midday to allow pupils and parents to escape the anticipated traffic chaos. | |
It said: "The roads will not be closed throughout the course of the procession so as such, we would ask drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes where possible. | It said: "The roads will not be closed throughout the course of the procession so as such, we would ask drivers to avoid the area and find alternate routes where possible. |
"The church service at St Mary's will be for family and close friends of Mr Flint. | "The church service at St Mary's will be for family and close friends of Mr Flint. |
"Fans and members of the public are asked to respect the privacy of Mr Flint's loved ones during this difficult time." | "Fans and members of the public are asked to respect the privacy of Mr Flint's loved ones during this difficult time." |
Flint was born in Redbridge in north-east London and his family moved to Braintree where in 1990 he co-founded The Prodigy with Liam Howlett and Leeroy Thornhill. | Flint was born in Redbridge in north-east London and his family moved to Braintree where in 1990 he co-founded The Prodigy with Liam Howlett and Leeroy Thornhill. |
The Prodigy, who had been due to tour the United States in May, released their latest album No Tourists in November and had recently been on tour in Australia. | The Prodigy, who had been due to tour the United States in May, released their latest album No Tourists in November and had recently been on tour in Australia. |
If you are struggling to cope, contact the Samaritans on the free helpline 116 123, or please click on this link to access support services. | If you are struggling to cope, contact the Samaritans on the free helpline 116 123, or please click on this link to access support services. |