THE family of a Dales farmer have revealed how he made a funeral wish shortly before he was found dead beside his quad bike on a bleak fellside.

The body of 32-year-old Lee “Jaffa” Jameson was found near cows he was tending on land above Westgate, in Weardale, County Durham, last Wednesday. His quad bike was nearby.

At first, police believed the bike had toppled on top of him.

But a post-mortem examination has revealed Mr Jameson may have died from natural causes. An inquest is to be held later.

Meanwhile, his funeral service will go ahead on Friday as he had detailed during a conversation with family and friends only a few weeks ago.

A trailer with his coffin on board will be pulled by tractor the mile from his home at Daddry Shield to St Andrew’s Church, Westgate, where hundreds of mourners are expected to attend the funeral service.

“Lee lived and breathed the countryside. It was his life,” said his partner, Diane Thomson.

“When he died, he said this was the way he wanted to go and we have respected his wishes.”

She will be joined by their two-year-old son, George, and family mourners behind the trailer.

Mr Jameson, described by friends as “a true countryman”, first started work on a farm in Westgate at seven, helping neighbours John and Barbara Walton. At 15, he got his first full-time job as a stockman for Jim and Ann Hunter on their farm at Daddry Shield.

He was to remain there for 14 years before being taken on by James Nattrass at nearby Sunrise House Farm.

Tributes have been pouring in for Mr Jameson. So far, more than 400 people have signed on to a Facebook page opened “in memory of Jaffa”.

These will later be compiled in a book for son George.

“It will contain memories of his dad which George can treasure for life,” said his mother.

Mr Jameson’s funeral service takes place at St Andrew’s Church, Westgate, on Friday at 1pm. Among the mourners will be Mr Jameson’s parents, John and Janet, and his brother, Craig, who all live in Westgate.

It will be followed by refreshments at the Weardale Inn, Ireshopeburn, where a collection will be made for the Great North Air Ambulance.