MOURNERS fought back tears and applauded as the coffin of a much-loved Newport man was laid to rest this afternoon.

Hundreds packed the streets to pay their respects to Leroy Richardson, 54, a former doorman from Pill who died of a heart attack while out cycling on July 9.

Around 1,000 people turned out for his funeral at St John’s Church, Maindee, yesterday (Fri) afternoon.

Despite their tears, family and friends clapped as his coffin was brought in, to the song "Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong".

The church was full, with an adjacent hall open where mourners could watch the service on a screen. Still more had to wait outside.

The 6ft 4ins "gentle giant" was well known and loved in Newport.

Close friend David Humphries, who was with him when he died, paid tribute, saying: "He has touched each and every one of your hearts with just a conversation and a smile."

"I know that family feel they have lost the best son in the world, and the best dad and the best brother and the best husband."

He ended the tribute: "You know when you approach the gates of heaven, you can look out for the big doorman with the big smile on his face, and you know at least he’s going to let you in."

Mr Richardson worked as a doorman in Newport and Cardiff before taking a job with Bisley Office Furniture, where he worked for 19 years. He regularly raised money for charity and donated more than 70 pints of blood during his lifetime.

Mr Richardson’s granddaugher Kayla read a poem, which read: "My granddad was someone who always had good stories to tell, but just as important he was a good listener as well.

"He was no ordinary man. I’m proud to tell the world that Leroy Richardson was my granddad."

The Revd Canon David Neale led the service. He said: "I'm told in many ways he was a simple man, in the sense he didn't go after material possessions. He wanted to be respected for who he was as a person, and he was, as you can see here."

Mourners sang hymns including The Old Rugged Cross, followed by How Great Thou Art.

Whitney Houston’s ‘I Look to You’ was played, Desmond Richardson sang ‘Something Inside So Strong’, before guests left the church to Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’.

Crowds again applauded as Mr Richardson’s coffin was placed in a horse drawn carriage and driven away.

His children brought a red MG car to the funeral, which Mr Richardson had restored in honour of his brother Caledon who died aged 26, and later gave away. The family bought the car back as a surprise, but their father died before they had the chance to give it to him.

The family is collecting donations for the British Heart Foundation and The Royal National Institute of Blind People in his memory.