THE funeral of a popular huntsman and local businessman will be held on Monday after he died following a freak accident while hunting with the Minehead Harriers.

Gary Bradley, who was in his 50s, was hit by a branch while riding in Blagdon Wood near Wheddon Cross.

He was knocked off his horse and suffered serious facial, pelvic and knee injuries.

Joint master of the hunt Charlie Cox, who had been riding behind Mr Bradley, was also hit by the branch and suffered a wound to the head.

The accident happened on January 15 and he died in hospital just over a week later, last Wednesday.

Mr Bradley, who lived in Timberscombe, leaves a wife Gail, four daughters - Lisa, Rachael, Nicki and Vicki - and a grandson, Liam.

As well as being well-known in hunting circles, he was also a popular businessman and ran his own company, GB Scaffolding.

His funeral will take place at Taunton Deane Crematorium at 10.30am on Monday.

There will be family flowers only, but donations can be made to the Devon Air Ambulance or the intensive care unit at Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust through Hedley Price Funeral Directors, in Mart Road, Minehead.