Colleagues of a popular East Kilbride driving instructor are to join him on his final journey before he is laid to rest tomorrow.
A convoy of 30 learner cars are expected to turn out in tribute to 67-year-old George McLaughlin who died suddenly and peacefully at his St Leonards home on May 6.
The grandad taught up to 500 learner drivers across East Kilbride and Hamilton for over a decade in his trusty red Suzuki, and was well known among the town's football fraternity as a former coach for Mount Cameron Primary School.
Due to social distancing restrictions, only a limited number of family are able to pay their respects at South Lanarkshire Crematorium.
In a show of support, friends and colleagues are to follow the funeral cortège from Co-op Funeralcare in the Village from 1.50pm on Thursday ahead of the 2.15pm service.
And, in a nod to his lifelong support of grassroots football, in particular EKYC, the procession will pass by the clubhouse at Kirktonholme pitches where George would regularly be seen cheering on his grandsons.
Colleague Susan Miller told the News: "It was with great sadness an extremely popular colleague died suddenly and unexpectedly.
"George McLaughlin was a very familiar, popular and much-loved driving instructor in EK, by both the hundreds of pupils he taught over many years and all his colleagues.
"He was such a character within the driving instructor community, we all thought so highly of him, so this was a real shock to all of us.
"We are honouring our friend by having a convoy of learner cars follow the funeral cortège. We are expecting 30 learner cars to take part in this show of respect."
George was self-employed and ran driving school EK Driving Lessons for 12 years.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Christina, children David McLaughlin, 38, and Kirsteen Helsby, 40, and six grandchildren Jack, Luca, Robbie, Archie and twins Addison and Stirling.
