A moving tribute has been paid to a much-loved mother and Royal Mail worker who has died at the age of just 43.
The instantly recognisable red Royal Mail vans lined Ashby Road in Burton forming a special guard of honour as Louise Mortlock made her final journey to Bretby Crematorium. Her former colleagues, who turned out in force, clapped as her funeral procession passed by in a touching tribute.
The postwoman died unexpectedly and suddenly on September 6 after dedicating the last five years to delivering the post in Burton and Tutbury.
A mum-of two she has been described as not one to mince her words and was known to speak her mind, which made her more likeable to those who met her.
Her daughter Nicola Bendall, 28, said: "She was very hands-on with family and would have us all round for dinner and parties.
"She worked loads and was always with the grandkids.
"She was my best friend and always spoilt us growing up - she would let us have whatever we wanted.
"Seeing the Royal Mail vans made us very emotional, it was the first time anything like that had been done.
"We've never seen so many vans before.
"We knew they were doing it but we didn't expect it to be that big. Mum was very popular.
"It was very emotional and we're very grateful for the support.
"She really enjoyed it and had a lot of friends at the Royal Mail.
"I would like to say how much we love our mum and are going to miss her."
Miss Mortlock, of Cornwall Road, in Stapenhill, was a middle child who was brought up with five brothers and sisters.
Described as the tomboy of the family, as a child she enjoyed climbing trees and getting covered in mud, often getting a hole in just one of her shoes after using her foot as a break while out on her bike.
Miss Mortlock met her partner Neil Bendall as a teenager when they were both pupils at Paulet High School in the town and she had her first child, Nicola as a teenager.
The childhood sweethearts had their second child Amy, now 25, a few years later.
Nicola said she had a close bond with her mum, with people often mistaking them as sisters.
She said: "When we were going out everyone thought we were sisters as she didn't look old enough to be my mum.
"She absolutely loved doing Lego and had a big pond where she looked after coy fish.
"The Lego started with my dad when he had a heart operation last year and she bought him Lego for something to do while he recovered and she became obsessed with it.
"The grandkids loved doing it as well with her."
Miss Mortlock loved planning family holidays, with Blackpool, Skegness and Scarborough her favourite places to visit.
As her children got older and left home, the couple would go away together, with Robin Hood's Bay becoming a favourite.
Before taking a job with the Royal Mail, Miss Mortlock worked at ESG in the lab at Bretby.
It was here she was given the nickname Dr Doolittle due to her affinity with the birds and animals, who she encouraged to share her lunch.