IT was one of the biggest funerals in Teignmouth for many years, writes John Ware.

There was standing room only at St James' Church, when an estimated 400 people packed in for the service for 45-year-old popular sportsman Andy Tooley on Tuesday.

A recording of Uprising, by local band Muse, accompanied the entry of the coffin into the church, and the service finished with Don't Stop Me Now, by another of his favourite groups.

Andy came from one of the town's best known sporting families, and his father, Fred, is a town councillor and former mayor.

Andy was sports mad. He played football, golf, darts, pool, and was a talented boxer in his younger days.

But his main love was rugby, and he played for Teignmouth RFC for several years. A large contingent of rugby people attended and, fittingly, a recording of the rugby anthem Swing Low Sweet Chariot, rang through the church during the service.

The Rev Graham Stones, team rector, conducted the service, and said the big turn out showed the esteem and affection he was held in.

Mr Stones quoted several light-hearted anecdotes from Andy's early years, including the time, as a toddler, he tipped a can of paint over a neighbour's car, and also put a tinned pie to cook in the oven, without taking the lid off, resulting in a mini-explosion.

'Not a good beginning for a man who went on to enjoy cooking for his family,' he said.

Mr Stones added: 'He worked hard and played hard, and had a cheeky smile.

'Andy was well loved and there was never a bad word spoken about him.'

The service was followed by cremation at Exeter and a wake at the Teignmouth Rugby Club.