Celebration for 'best of local radio' presenter
Hundreds of people have celebrated the life of a BBC presenter who was described by her colleagues as the "best of local radio".
Emma Britton, 52, who previously hosted the breakfast programmes for BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Somerset, was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer a year ago and died last month.
A service for Emma was held at the McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater, Somerset, earlier.
In the eulogy she wrote before she died, Emma said: "I'm gutted not to have lived for longer... I hope that you can celebrate my life, rather than mourn my loss."
Emma's floral-draped coffin was transported to the ceremony on a horse-drawn carriage.
Members of the public stood and watched the procession and hundreds of people attended the ceremony, which was also streamed online.
Emma, who became a celebrant in 2020 and spent years administering weddings, funerals and other services, wrote her own eulogy which was read out at the service.
She wrote: "It seems like my circle of life, a phrase I have taken from my amazing nan, is going to be a little smaller than I had hoped.
"I hope that I've made a small difference. I hope those close to me know how much I love them and will always love them.
"Thank you all for being part of my life. Love you lots."
Emma's eulogy also paid tribute to her mum, her husband - who she called "my John" - and their beagle, Billy.
Alongside her radio and celebrant work, Emma helped to fundraise and raise awareness for ALK Positive UK, a charity supporting other people like her who had been diagnosed with a rare type of lung cancer.
Emma raised £11,000 for the charity through a birthday fundraiser in February and regularly hosted coffee mornings to meet others living with the condition.
Deborah Montague, founder and chair of the charity, described Emma as an "extraordinary woman".
"Emma provided friendship and hope to people," she said.
"You felt as if you knew Emma for years within minutes of meeting her," Montague said.
"She was an absolute natural ambassador," Montague added.
"She spoke about the good days and the bad days, so she didn't gloss over, she didn't make it seem as if it was nothing, she was very real and that was really, really helpful for so many people because you don't look unwell."
Andy Bennett, a presenter for both BBC Radio Bristol and Somerset, said Emma's death still "doesn't compute" with him.
The pair became friends 20 years ago and later worked together.
Bennett said: "She was kind. I know that's like a really basic thing to say, but there's a lot of people that aren't.
"She didn't take life too seriously, even when she had the terrible cancer diagnosis just over a year ago.
"She took it with such courage and she appreciated that life is short.
"We went out only a few months ago and she said 'life is short, I'm going to make the most of it'.
"She liked doing things that made her happy because she knew that life is precious," he added.
Sarah Foster met Emma years ago while she led fitness classes for women.
She said: "She was just wonderful. The life and soul, bubbly, bright, beautiful, just epic.
"She had the most incredible smile... I don't think I ever saw her without a smile."
Emma would be "missed so much", she added.
After joining BBC Radio Somerset in 2007, Emma became a presenter and took over the breakfast show in 2013 before moving across to Radio Bristol in 2016, where she was host for five years.
She worked freelance in 2020 and also became a celebrant, where she administered weddings, funerals and other services.
Emma spoke openly about living with her illness, which had been diagnosed as genetic in 2025.
She began a targeted therapy drug and returned to working in radio on a freelance basis.
Emma's friends, colleagues and loved ones paid tribute to her after her death last month.
Gareth Roberts, executive editor of both stations Emma used to work for, said she was "quite simply the best of BBC local radio".
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