It was a tribute fit for a country and western hero.

A sea of black, wide-brimmed hats awaited the coffin of Wild West enthusiast Brian Hardwick at his funeral service in Nab Wood crematorium.

But mourners yesterday remembered the murder victim as a "humble and quiet" man who loved his family and friends.

People flocked to pay their last respects to Mr Hardwick, 50, of Wibsey, who was shot as he left work nearly two months ago.

A member of Bradford's Range Riders Country and Western Club, some friends donned traditional Western outfits but holsters were left empty as a mark of respect.

The funeral cars were followed by a gleaming, white Cadillac and Mr Hardwick's black Western-style hat was placed on the coffin by his tearful widow, Lynne.

Conducting the service, Reverend Edward Holmes said Mr Hardwick was a modest man who would be remembered by many.

"When I was talking to Lynne, I got the impression of a loving, lovable and lovely man," he said.

"I was told he was a man who was hardworking, quiet, thoughtful, happy, who was respected and liked at his work. The fact that people used to call him out to do jobs for them out of hours is an indication of his quality of work."

Mr Hardwick, an auto electrician, was gunned down outside Huddersfield Car Electrical Service on November 21.

Songs at the funeral included tracks by Meatloaf and Ronan Keating, which were played at his wedding last May. He leaves two daughters and two step children.

Huddersfield police are still appealing for information to hunt down his killer.

Life-long friend Carol Swallow, who spoke at the service, said he had left behind a legacy of love.

"He was well-respected, a man of integrity and a gentleman," she said. "It's unbelievable that anybody would want to hurt him."

Alan Mills, known as 'Apache Alan' to friends at the Range Riders Club, said everybody was still shocked.

"We took it badly," he said. "He was a good fellow - I can't understand why anybody would do such a thing. Whoever did this should hand themselves in because they took the wrong kind of person."

Mrs Hardwick thanked everybody for their support over the last eight weeks.

"I would particularly like to thank my friend Pauline Whyte, who is more like a sister to me as we are so close and George and Sheila Whitfield as I have been at their house and they have looked after me so much over the past few weeks," she said.

"Also, without Derek and Sheila Elener and Mark Ellis, I don't think I could have got through this."