Clubs across West Cumbria came together to mourn a talented player whose death has stunned the rugby community.

Current and ex players, many wearing their team's shirts, gathered to pay their respects to Peter Dawson at his funeral yesterday.

Around 600 people packed into St John's Church in Workington to remember the 48-year-old who died suddenly two weeks ago.

Mr Dawson was a former Great Clifton Lions, Ellenborough, Flimby and Workington Town player and his coffin was draped with a Great Clifton Lions shirt and rugby ball-shaped flowers.

Many tears were shed during the service as songs were played including Lonestar's Amazed By You and The Wonder of You by Elvis, before Mr Dawson's coffin was carried out to He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother which was a hit for the The Hollies.

The Rev Canon Prof Robert Hannaford, said: "Valerie (his wife) thought long and hard about the music she wanted played to evoke and cherish memories."

One of his pall bearers was long-time friend Craig Barker who is the Ellenborough coach and assistant coach at Workingon Town.

In an earlier tribute, Mr Barker described him as "gritty and tough on the field, but a likeable man – one of the guys – when the match was finished.

Mr Dawson, from Stainburn, leaves wife Val, 52, sons Gary and Kevin Hoban, 28 and 26, granddaughters Leigha, nine, Zoe, eight, and Mia, four, parents Michael and Brenda and twin sister Louise.

Mr Dawson, a construction worker at Sellafield, married Val eight years ago but they'd been together for 25 years.

In a previous tribute she said her husband's biggest passion was rugby.

"He was so funny," she said. "He had so many friends, we've been inundated with beautiful messages, cards and flowers.

"He was my rock and my world, I don’t know how I’m going to go without him."

The service was followed by a cremation at Distington Hall.

The coroner is due to open an inquest into Mr Dawson's death next week and adjourn it until October 3.

The Times & Star was attended Mr Dawson's funeral with the family's permission.