A SYMPHONY orchestra member and other musicians played at the funeral of their former teacher yesterday.

About 200 family, friends and fellow musicians packed into St John's Church, in Darlington, for the funeral of Alf Hind.

Mr Hind, considered a legend in Darlington music circles, died on April 24 - two days short of his 78th birthday - after a battle with cancer.

Pete Turnbull, one of his former pupils and now a member of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, played a trumpet solo as Mr Hind's coffin was carried into the church.

A band, made up of former pupils, played at the end of the ceremony and included Mr Hind's favourite piece, Nimrod from the Enigma Variations, by Elgar.

Reverend Paul Baker, from St Mark's Church, who led the service, called him a truly remarkable man and said the number of people present was testament to his qualities. He added: "He had many gifts and many influences that inspired us all here today."

His youngest child, Nigel, delivered a moving eulogy.

He said: "He was caring, loving, very smart, strict, very inspirational and always a professional."

Nigel, like his elder brother, Anthony, also played in the Royal Corps of Signals.

He added: "There was no way I wasn't going to play the cornet, I'm so glad he pushed me.

I thank you, dad, for that."

The church was filled with people who had been taught by Mr Hind.

His son finished the eulogy by saying: "I know dad will be looking down and thinking 'What a band I could put together with that lot'."

Mr Hind was born in Darlington on April 26, 1933.

He first took up music when he played the cornet with Cockerton Band at the age of 12, but it was during his National Service in the Royal Corps of Signals that his passion blossomed.

When he returned to Darlington he played with and conducted his own band, and set up junior bands, as well as becoming a music teacher.

He formed the Alf Hind Big Band 37 years ago, played at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, and shared the stage with many acclaimed performers.

He and his wife, Mary, had three children - Jacqueline, Anthony and Nigel - and six grandchildren.