A NEWBRIDGE man who studied at both Oxford and Cambridge was sent off in style yesterday as a New Orleans-style jazz band marched his funeral procession through his home town.

Professor Paul Bolwell, 65, died on April 13 following a battle with motor neurone disease, which he was diagnosed with a year ago.

Yesterday, a ten-piece New Orleans style jazz band led the procession through Newbridge following a service at St Paul's Church in the town's High Street.

Professor Bolwell was then buried in Abercarn cemetery, where his parents Gough and Winnie are buried.

The musical send-off was chosen as Prof Bolwell had a passion for music and the two songs played at his funeral were Miles Davis' All Blues and Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Jeff Beck.

Prof Bolwell went to Newbridge Grammar School before studying biochemistry as an undergraduate at Oxford University.

He then did his Doctorate in the subject at Cambridge University before moving to Leeds University to be a researcher.

In 1989, Prof Bolwell was appointed as a lecturer in Plant Biochemistry at Royal Holloway University of London.

He was promoted to professor in 1998 after three years working as a postdoctoral research assistant.

His brother, Richard Bolwell, 52, who lives in Newbridge, said Prof Bolwell's friends were coming from Leeds, London, Zurich and California to be at the funeral and around 200 people were expected for yesterday's service.

As well as music, Prof Bolwell loved rugby and played scrum half for Otley, in West Yorkshire, until he was 45.

He also came back to Wales to watch international matches.

In March, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science by Oxford University in recognition of his work in the field.

Mr Bolwell said: "He'll be remembered as a scientific genius, but very unassuming and still one of the boys. Today, we're celebrating his life."

A tribute on the Royal Holloway University of London's website said: " We will remember Paul as a great colleague and gentleman, who contributed much to teaching and research in the school. He loved life, rugby, Wales, music, as well as beer! We will all miss him very much."