A GRANDFATHER who wants his ashes to be scattered in the same place he proposed to his wife more than 40 years ago won a competition to pay for his dream send-off.

Ken Stevens was sadly diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer in 2015 and has spent the last two years finalising the arrangements for his funeral.

The Sonning Common resident was concerned his wife would be left with stacks of paper work to sort out, but his fortunes turned when he won a competition to pay for his funeral.

He has chosen to be cremated at Reading Crematorium and wants his ashes to be scattered in Shetland, where he used to live, or Hampstead Heath, where he proposed to his loving wife in the 1960s.

"Aside from the admin and financial benefits of a pre-paid funeral plan, it also enables me to indicate my wishes as to the sort of funeral I would like," said Mr Stevens, 71.

"The overall objective is to minimise the admin that my wife will have to handle at a difficult time.”

Julian Walker, director of A.B Walker, which organised the competition, added: "Death is something that no-one wants to think about, and that’s natural.

“But for many people planning their funeral has brought peace of mind.

“It also allows you to save money by purchasing a funeral at today’s prices rather than what they may be in the future.”