The Mid Sussex Brass Band is to play a musical tribute at the funeral of its chairman, who has died aged 67.

John Taylor, 67, of Cyprus Road, Burgess Hill, died after falling ill with emphysema.

Friends and family of Mr Taylor said he was involved with the brass ensemble for many years and the tunes played at his funeral would be lively in honour of his "lively character".

Secretary Paul Homewood said: "I knew John for 35 years and he worked tirelessly for the band.

"He played the tenor horn and would rather be participating than watching. He was really busy in the social life of the town."

Mr Homewood said Mr Taylor started playing brass instruments when he was a Scout, learning to play the Last Post on a cornet.

Mr Taylor worked on the railways all his professional life before retiring in 1991 but his main interest was music.

Mr Homewood said Mr Taylor's wife, Pam, became used to hearing him say: "Can we do that another day because I'm banding?"

Mr Taylor was a founding member of Burgess Hill Youth Club and one of its first leaders.

He was secretary of the Burgess Hill Brass Band for 38 years and continued close links with the ensemble after it merged with Haywards Heath to become Mid Sussex Band. He recently became the chairman.

Mr Taylor lived in Burgess Hill all his life and played football for the town.

In 1992, he was appointed chairman of Southern Counties Amateur Brass Band Association.

Mr Taylor died at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath on Wednesday last week.

A funeral service will be held at Downs Crematorium, Bear Road, Brighton, tomorrow at 11.15am.

There will be a memorial service at the United Reformed Church in Junction Road, Burgess Hill, at 12.30pm the same day.

Friends can send flowers or make a donation to Cancer Research UK, Mr Taylor's chosen charity, by sending them to Charles and Timothy Radmall Funeral Services, London Road, Burgess Hill.