Hundreds of people today paid their respects at the funeral of one of the two Leeds United fans stabbed to death in Turkey.

Kevin Speight's home village of Farsley came to a halt as the coffin, adorned with wreaths in the colours of his beloved football club was carried into St John the Evangelist Church, Town Street, a short distance from the Bay Horse pub which he had run for the past 18 months.

The cortege was led by a convoy of scooter enthusiasts as one of Mr Speight's main interests was racing and repairing scooters.

The Queen's cousin Lord Harewood, president of Leeds United, club chairman Peter Ridsdale, its manager David O'Leary and goalkeeper Nigel Martyn were among the mourners who filled the church with scores more lining the main streets in the village.

Mr Speight, 40, a father-of-two was stabbed to death in Istanbul the day before Leeds United's match against Galatasaray on April 6. The second leg is at Elland Road on Thursday.

His widow Susan broke down in tears as his coffin was carried into the church. The main road through the village was closed off as the service began at 11am to allow the funeral procession to make its way.

The half-hour-long service was given by the Reverend Canon John White, the Vicar of St John's, who told the mourners Mr Speight was a big-hearted friend and family man.

He said: "He was always very generous with his time and friendship, without asking for anything in return, and he made and kept a multitude of friends.

"He was the kind of person to do anything for anyone. He was a keen fundraiser in many a good cause.

"Some of his friends were at Leeds United and both unofficially and officially the club is well represented here today. Some of you may well have been with him in Istanbul and are feeling especially lost. It could so easily have been anyone.

"Far more have wanted to offer sympathy and pay tribute than could be here today, and they have done so elsewhere in their own way. This is the part of Kevin's life where most of the public focus has been and the family has borne up with much courage and a great deal of dignity."

About 400 people waited outside the church during the service bracing the cold and wet weather.

Most remained stone faced, reflecting the generally sombre mood of the day, but some found a moment to smile and remember a memory from their times with Mr Speight.

Canon White said: "Right through from his teens Kevin's main interest was scooters. Running them with others and repairing them often into the small hours. Right now there is a half-built Lambretta in the living room at the Bay Horse.

"In fact Kevin and Susan met when he gave her a lift on his scooter, and out of that, after a long courtship came their marriage in 1986. Then came the arrival on the scene of George and Holly.

"So much has been tragically cut short and one of the reasons we are here is to bring whatever comfort and support that we can to the family.

"Even though human words fail us, we can and do pray for God's strength and help to see them through this sad and difficult time."

Three hymns were sung during the service, The Lord Is My Shepherd, The Lord's Prayer and Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us which was chosen by the family.

Canon Brenda Lofthouse, former vicar of Farsley, also read verses from St John the Gospel.

The service ended at 11.30am as onlookers including Turkish journalists saw a convoy of two police motorbikes and about 20 scooters lead the coffin away.

All the people who had been in the church filed out led by Mrs Speight and her family to watch the moving tributes.

The rest of the mourners then dispersed to leave the village and the Speight family tried to resume normal daily life.

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