FRIENDS and family gathered to say a fond farewell to a much-loved photographer.

The funeral of former Echo chief photographer Dave “Cookie” Cook, of Thundersley, was held at Southend Crematorium yesterday.

The grandfather-of-two, who finished his career taking catalogue photographs for importer PMS International, in Basildon, died after battling a rare lung condition, aged 78.

His daughter Joanne, 45, an award-winning journalist and author, helped carry Mr Cook’s willow coffin, which was decorated with entwined hearts.

She left a floral tribute in the shape of an SLR camera.

His other daughter, Natasha Higgins, 41, of Rayleigh, left photographs in a frame of flowers.

A floral tribute spelling out “pops” lay beside the coffin in the hearse.

Echo sub-editor Chris Lee, 64, who worked alongside Mr Cook, said: “It was good to see so many people there from his professional and private life, which goes to show how well respected and loved he was.”