HUNDREDS of mourners packed into a football-themed funeral to pay tribute to a father-of-five who died suddenly last week.

Alan Milne, a lifelong Manchester United fan, was found dead at his Skerne Park home in Darlington last Saturday.

An inquest was this week opened and adjourned into his death, after a post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.

Mourners crowded into Darlington Crematorium to watch the coffin, draped in a Manchester United flag, carried into the chapel.

Some mourners cast off the usual funeral black and wore red Manchester United shirts to pay tribute to their friend.

A family member, who did not want to be named, said: "He was a really popular guy. Everyone knew him and liked him. It was a great big shock to everybody when he died. He used to drink at Hogans at the top of Victoria Road and so many people knew him."

The 43-year-old, of Tyne Crescent, was also a keen fisherman, and member of Darlington Angling Club.

He leaves a partner, Kate Slaven, four daughters and a son, also called Alan. He also had two young grandchildren and was expecting two more.

* The Northern Echo attended the funeral at the family's request