A GWENT police sergeant killed in a cycling accident was laid to rest yesterday at a funeral with full police honours.

Sgt Steve Burt, 53, from New Inn, died on May 19 following a collision between his bicycle and a car as he cycled towards Pontypool on the A4042.

More than 200 mourners turned out for the father-of-three's funeral yesterday at St Mary's Church in Panteg, including many of the colleagues he served with during almost three decades in the force.

A 40-strong guard of honour made up of officers who knew and worked with Sgt Burt lined the path to the church as pall bearers carried the coffin draped with a Gwent Police flag into the building.

A police helmet also rested on top of Sgt Burt's coffin and flowers spelling out the word "Dad" were laid alongside it in the hearse.

The 40 minute funeral service included the hymns "Cwm Rhondda" and "Make me a channel of your piece."

Personal tributes were read by Gwent Police's chief constable Carmel Napier, as well as former officer and Sgt Burt's close personal friend Steve Webber.

The service was followed by a committal at the Gwent crematorium.

Sgt Burt served with Gwent Police for 27 years, receiving his long-service and good-conduct medals in 2005.

After his death, chief constable Carmel Napier described him as a very well respected officer with an "excellent" record of service.

His family, including his wife Debra, daughters Sian and Louise, both 25, and son, Jonathan, 22, said he was a "loving husband and father" who always put his family first.

In a statement they said: "He made us laugh, he made us cry but most of all, he made us feel loved and special. He will be remembered and missed by us all."

Sgt Burt was out cycling with a group of friends when the collision on the A4042 near Llanover happened.

He was later pronounced dead at Abergavenny's Nevill Hall hospital. No one else was injured in the collision.