A GIPSY who fought a council over plans to extend his site has died, but his son has vowed to continue the fight.

Leonard Finney, who owned and lived on gipsy site Hillbee Farm on Welland Road, near Upton, died aged 62 of liver failure.

Mr Finney was described as a “fighter” and he certainly lived up to that billing after several disputes with Malvern Hills District Council over planning applications to extend the site.

The site, which Mr Finney owned since 1993, was formerly a caravan club but Mr Finney wanted to extend the gipsy site with another five caravans or mobile homes in addition to the two already there. Residents opposed the applications and Mr Finney was denied permission by Malvern Hills District Council on several occasions.

His son Kane Finney said of his father: “He was a wellknown figure in Upton and everyone had respect for him.

“He was a fighter all his life and never backed down from anyone or anything. He was a loving father and an allround great family man.

“I can promise now that the family will continue to fight for these planning applications and we will see them through eventually.”

Leonard Finney leaves a wife Carol Finney, grandchildren Shane, Shaun and Karendianne and daughterin- law Diane Finney. Mr Finney’s life will be celebrated on Monday when a traditional horse-drawn funeral cortege with two black horses followed by three or four cars will pass through Upton from 12.15pm.

It will travel to Gloucester, where there will be a service at Gloucester Crematorium from 2pm.