A FUNERAL director has started flying black flags from mourners' cars to encourage motorists to drive more considerately.

John Howarth, who has run Howarth's Funeral Service, in Farnworth and Astley Bridge, for the past 15 years, says a two-month trial was successful and now the flag idea is to become a permanent one.

Mr Howarth said: "Before we started using the flags we used to instruct the funeral cortege following us to put their headlights on so that people would know they were part of the funeral party so other motorists could give them priority at junctions and allow all of the cortege cars to stay together.

"It worked to an extent but it could get confusing, especially in winter.

"We're the only local firm who uses the black flags and they've really made a difference. I've been amazed at the compliments passed on by our clients, who have taken to the idea and pleased with the way motorists gave way at junctions."

The firm's biggest funeral to date was Fred Dibnah's whose funeral cortege included four steam engines but the average cortege can be anything from two to 20 cars.

The company has also introduced another safety measure by insisting all their full-time members of staff have passed their driving tests with the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Mr Howarth said: "My wife and I did our advanced drivers' tests several years ago and now all our full time staff have passed it too.

"Driving a funeral party requires different skills to driving in an every day situation.

"It can be difficult to drive slowly and, because of the size of the vehicles, we also have to do a lot of defensive driving."