Ninety-year-old rugby legend Eppie Gibson worried he may have been forgotten, his grandson revealed to mourners at his funeral.

However, at a packed service at Distington Hall Crematorium yesterday, moving tributes were paid by those who knew and loved him.

Mr Gibson, a Whitehaven and Workington Town legend, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 18.

Tributes have flooded in since his death as family and friends remember a man who was part of Workington's side when they lifted the Challenge Cup against Featherstone at Wembley in 1952.

Fans and senior representatives of both clubs - including Haven chairman Tom Todd and Town's Garry Mounsey - paid their respects.

At his funeral, his grandson Christopher said how, at the age of 90, Mr Gibson had thought no-one would remember him, but the congregation in Distington showed he needn't have worried.

He told mourners how his grandfather had been a "true athlete", who had played rugby union for Loughborough University and the English universities side.

Then, while completing two years national service in Carlisle, he had been signed for Workington Town by Gus Risman, later moving to Whitehaven.

Another Whitehaven rugby legend Gordon Cottier spoke about Mr Gibson's time as a teacher at Overend School, Whitehaven.

He told the congregation, that when the girls would claim Elvis Presley was "top of the pops", Mr Gibson would say "you don't know Nat King Cole".

Mr Cottier revealed how the PE teacher had a "great influence" on the school's sports teams and said, on one occasion, he told the class he would join them on cross country, before turning up in his car.

His grandson Ben read 'Crossing the Bar', a poem by Lord Tennyson, while three hymns - Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah, Jerusalem and The Day Thou Gavest - were sang during the service.

The service was led by Reverend Julia Powley, who told of how she had delivered communion to Mr Gibson during his time at The Fairways Residential Home, Workington, and the "faithful love" between him and his wife Marie, who visited him everyday.

Family and friends went to the Hunday Manor Hotel, Workington, to share memories, and for refreshments, after the service.

Donations in memory of Mr Gibson can be made to The National Trust, via Eaves Funeral Service.

He leaves behind his wife Marie, daughters Susan and Helen and grandchildren.

The News and Start attended Mr Gibson's funeral with the permission of his family.