Organist dies - while playing at funeral

A CHURCH organist collapsed and died in front of shocked mourners at a funeral.

Brian Markland, 66, passed out seconds after a recital of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

Another organist will now play the famous piece in Brian's honour at HIS funeral today.

The Rev Graham Halsall, who was leading the service, and funeral directors battled in vain to revive the dad of three at St Saviour's in Bamber Bridge, near Preston, Lancashire.

Mr Halsall told how he held Brian's hand until the end. He said: "It was immensely tragic. He was a gentle man, a great, exquisite organist."

Wife of 44 years, Anne, 63, said Brian, of Leyland, "touched so many lives through his music".

A post mortem found he died of heart disease.