HUNDREDS of mourners gathered at the funeral on Monday to pay their respects to Minety Rugby Club player Philip Claxton, 38, from Pool Keynes, who died of a heart attack on October 5 while playing golf.

The service at All Saint's Church, Kemble, had to be relayed to many people outside.

Tributes have flooded in to the family in the past two weeks as friends come to terms with the loss of a man described by members of Minety Rugby Club as the best wing-forward to ever play for them.

Mr Claxton was also ranked as one of the best war gaming players in the world and enjoyed playing skittles as well as spending time with his family, taking his daughters horse riding or son to rugby or football.

The Reverend Christopher Race, who took the service, said: "He had love for everybody and people loved him back as shown by the number of people in the congregation. He was a young man and an active person in the community."

Andy Claxton said the whole funeral was a fitting tribute to his brother. He said: "I was certainly thankful so many people turned up. That shows how much respect people had for him and how much people thought of him.

"The funeral size was staggering. It shows how popular he was across everything. People from skittles, rugby and war gaming were there and obviously work as well.""

Mr Claxton's wife, Alison, 37, said afterwards: "I was amazed at how many people came and it meant a lot. It was very emotional but very comforting. I would like to say a huge thank you to all."

Mr Claxton leaves three children, Tom, 11, Mary, nine, and Laura, eight.

Donations will go to Winston's Wish and Thames Valley Air Ambulance.