THE funeral took place yesterday of another of the victims of last week's explosion at Teesside Power Station.

Paul Surtees, who lived in Hawthorne, East Durham, was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital after the explosion, but later died of his injuries.

Family, friends and work colleagues filled the Parish Church of the Ascension in Easington Colliery as they gathered to pay their last respects to the 40-year-old maintenance manager.

Even the additional seats placed at the back and sides of the church were not enough to accommodate all the mourners, many of whom remained standing throughout the service.

The Reverend Neville Vine, who conducted the service, said his thoughts were with Mr Surtees' parents, George and Sylvia, his brothers, Keith, Glynn and Ian, sister Alison, partner Jeanette and daughter Cathryn.

He described Mr Surtees as "a down-to-earth guy who cherished his roots and had a pride in the community in which he grew up".

"He was a member of a very close family, a son and brother who would do anything he could to help any member of his family," he said.

"His devotion to his family was only surpassed by his intense love for his daughter, Cathryn."

The congregation heard how he kept a scrapbook of all his daughter's achievements, including drawings and letters to Santa.

Mr Surtees, who was born and raised in Easington Colliery, loved horse racing and was a lifelong Newcastle United supporter.

He served an apprenticeship as an electrician at the colliery before going to work for Whitbread, and then Enron, on Teesside.

Colleague Brian Stanley, who delivered the eulogy, said everyone at the power station was "stunned and desperately saddened" by his death.

"Right from the start it was clear that he was a highly skilled, motivated and extremely committed person.

"Over the years, Paul proved to be a huge asset to Enron."