Hundreds gather for Hunter funeral

Hundreds of mourners assembled in Leeds Parish Church and many more gathered outside for the funeral of snooker professional Paul Hunter on Thursday afternoon.

The three-time Masters champion died of cancer at Kirkwood Hospice, Huddersfield, last Monday aged 27.

Many of Hunter's fellow professionals were due to assemble a guard of honour for their friend's coffin. Seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry and six-time winner Steve Davis were joined by Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, Ryan Day, Dennis Taylor, John Parrott and Willie Thorne, while Welshman Matthew Stevens was one of the pallbearers.

Hunter's grieving father Alan was due to give a tribute, as was Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of the game's governing body World Snooker.

Hunter's coffin had been inside the church for the past two days and thousands had signed a book of condolence started by his widow Lindsey and 10-month-old daughter Evie Rose.