DOZENS of uniformed police officers lined the entrance to the church as family, friends and colleagues paid their final respects to a popular young policeman.

Many people were left standing in St Cuthbert's Church, in Darlington, for the funeral yesterday of PC Jonathan Green.

The 23-year-old died in a car crash last Thursday as he was returning home from work at Barnard Castle police station to the house in Brinkburn Road, Darlington, where he lived with parents, Lynn and Alan, and his 21-year-old sister, Michelle.

PC Green's hearse arrived at the church accompanied by three cars for mourners and a second hearse to carry the many floral tributes.

A police bagpiper played as PC Green's coffin, which bore his policeman's helmet, was carried into the church.

Earlier, the funeral cortege had paused briefly as it passed Darlington police station.

During the service, mourners heard of a resilient young man who had overcome adversity to do the job he loved.

Chaplain of Durham Constabulary the Reverend Robert Williamson told how Johnny, as he had been known to friends, was undeterred when a doctor told him a knee injury meant it was unlikely he could join the force.

Instead, PC Green sought a second opinion and worked out to get fit until he was deemed strong enough to join the force at the relatively young age of 19.

There were a few laughs during the emotional service when PC Green's enormous appetite for food and drink was recounted.

The Rev Williamson said: "The house was never empty when Johnny was in it.

"As well as being part of a very close-knit family, he was part of a wider family - the police."

A personal tribute was paid by Sergeant Bob Danby, who told how PC Green was like the social secretary of his shift and was always arranging nights out and even tried to cajole older officers into attending.

He was described as a fun-loving, loyal friend, who always did everything he could to avoid upsetting people, and who lived life to the full.

Sgt Danby said: "Johnny couldn't fly or see through walls, he didn't even wear his Playboy boxer shorts over his trousers.

"But in a quiet, trustworthy way, he lived up to his Superman tattoo and was indeed a true superhero."

During the service, two of PC Green's favourite songs, Living on a Prayer, by Bon Jovi, and Summer of '69, by Bryan Adams, were played. A poem written by his family was also read out by Detective Sergeant Jim Cunningham.

The Northern Echo attended the funeral with the permission of PC Green's family.