THE funeral of the last survivor of the ill-fated HMS Hood has taken place.

Former signalman Ted Briggs was one of just three men to survive when the naval ship was sunk by German battleship Bismarck in 1941.

Mr Briggs, who lived in Fareham, died of pneumonia at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth on October 5, aged 85.

Sailors lined the road as a hearse carrying his body was driven through HMS Collingwood in Fareham yesterday.

The funeral took place at St George's Church inside the naval base and was attended by members of the HMS Hood Association, including 108-year-old William Stone who served on HMS Hood in the 1920s.

The Venerable John Green, chaplain of the fleet, led the service. He said: "Ted's survival from the loss of the Hood certainly made him a celebrity, but what made him special was his integrity."

A private service for family and close friends was then held at Portchester Crematorium.

Mr Briggs remained in the Royal Navy following the war, serving on HMS Excellent on Whale Island, Portsmouth, as officer in charge of the leading rates leadership school.

He was made an MBE in 1973 and then became the first president of the HMS Hood Association.