FAMILY and friends gathered yesterday to pay their farewells to a respected journalist and figurehead of the region's workingmen's club movement.

Hundreds of mourners gathered at St Cuthbert's Church, in Shotley Bridge, County Durham, to celebrate the life of Jack Amos, who died last Saturday, at the age of 75.

So many people attended the service to remember the man who came to symbolise the workingmen's club movement in the region through his Jack of Clubs newspaper column, that several had to stand for the service.

Mr Amos, who was awarded an MBE in 2004 for services to the region's clubs, was a journalist on the Durham Advertiser and Consett Guardian, before moving to the Evening Chronicle where he became industrial editor. His association with workingmen's clubs began in the Fifties when writing a feature on Shotley Bridge Victory Club. He became club secretary for more than 20 years, then secretary of the Durham Club and Institute Union (CIU) and served on the CIU national executive. The father-of-two also raised about £100,000 through his charity work over the years.

The service included the hymns Love Divine All Loves Excelling and How Great Thou Art, a reading from St John's Gospel and the Whitney Houston song I Will Always Love You.

His son, Gary, who described his father as "a top Dad" said: "We all lost a special friend. He was a great man, with a larger-than-life personality. He loved people and he loved life right to the end.

"It is a mark of great respect that so many have gathered to mark his passing, but also to celebrate a life of achievements."

The Reverend Martin Jackson, who led the service, said: "Jack was truly a legend."

Mr Amos leaves a widow, Flo, his wife of 52 years, a daughter, Janette, son Gary, and three grandchildren.

The Northern Echo attended the funeral service with permission of the Amos family