THE friends and family of a York rock’n’roll fan gathered in 1950s-style dress to pay a musical farewell at his funeral.

Andrew Tiplady, 31, died earlier this month following a life-long battle with cystic fibrosis. Yesterday, mourners filled York Crematorium, in Bishopthorpe, to pay their respects and remember a life lived to the full.

Andrew’s coffin was brought into the packed chapel to the theme tune of Dr Who, of which he was a massive fan.

The Rev Stuart Petty, chaplain of York Hospital, said: “It’s lovely to see smiles because that reflects his life.

“All of those who knew him spoke as one; of his love for life and for living life to the full.”

The rock’n’roll theme continued throughout the service with music from Buddy Holly and, to end the ceremony, the sound of the Bill Haley And His Comets classic See You Later, Alligator.

After the funeral, Andrew’s friend, Steve Skeoch, said it was the “best send-off he could have had”.

“It got people laughing with the music and having a positive reaction like that was what he would have wanted.

“To see such a full room was a great tribute.”

Diane Harbour, of the children’s ward at York Hospital, where Andrew spent time as a youngster, said: “It was his style. We should have been up jiving.”

Throughout his life, Andrew drew admiration from family and friends for the way he conducted himself throughout years of gruelling treatment for his illness.

While still a teenager he began volunteer work for the York branch of Breathe Easy, the British Lung Foundation’s national support network, where he raised money for research in to cystic fibrosis.

Andrew died on February 1 while on the waiting list for a lung transplant, leading his father, Mike, to call on more people to sign up to the national organ donor register.