A grieving family's final farewell to their son was interrupted by the fire brigade who arrived to put out the blazing Viking funeral.

The memorial was for Richard Smith, 22, from Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire, who disappeared on 9 February.

His yacht was discovered empty off the island of Antigua in the Caribbean.

His family had come to terms with the fact that Mr Smith was probably dead and decided to hold a celebration of his life in the form that their son had always wanted - a Viking funeral.

It was very emotional and a fitting tribute to Richard

Norman Hall, uncle

But a call from a concerned member of the public summoned a fire crew from Gosport to extinguish the pyre.

Gosport fire station officer Carlton Kerr said: "As soon as we realised it was this ceremony to celebrate the life of this sailor who had gone missing, we talked to the family and as soon as it was agreed there was closure to the event, we put out the embers."

More than 150 friends, family and colleagues of Mr Smith attended Saturday's service.

Mr Smith's uncle, Norman Hall, said: "It was similar to a Viking funeral which was what Richard wanted when he passed away in later life.

"It was very emotional and a fitting tribute to Richard.

"It was a way of celebrating a guy who, at 22, is sadly gone and we do not know the answers, unfortunately."

At the service a motor cruiser, which Mr Smith had been building with his grandfather, Ron Powell, was burnt on a bonfire on the beach at Stokes Bay, Hampshire.

Mr Hall said the family would still pursue their investigation into Mr Smith's disappearance but his mother had accepted he had probably died.