Tragic hunting fan Jason Dent has been laid to rest, having led his faithful hunting dogs on one last journey.

An estimated 500 mourners packed Guiseley's St Oswald's Church to say farewell to the 33-year-old from Yeadon, known to his friends as Seth. He died in Cumbria last weekend when his shotgun went off accidentally during a hunting trip.

In accordance with his final wishes, Mr Dent's coffin was carried into the church followed by his lurchers Gess, Fin, Thi and Boss and terrier Nip, led by his widow, Isobel, 27, and friends Tom Webster and Neil Stringwell.

The funeral - followed by a service at Rawdon Crematorium -- was conducted by the Rector of Guiseley and Esholt, the Reverend Graham Atherton.

He recalled how the Dents were married at St Oswald's just 18 months ago, adding: "One could never have imagined that such a sacrifice would have been demanded of their love. Jason knew love and had a deep appreciation of God's creation through his involvement in so many country pursuits.

"He was known by so many people - many will have experienced his pranks and highly extrovert nature and he will be remembered and celebrated for those things.''

Mourners - who filled every pew in the church leaving many to stand through the service - listened in silence as one of Mr and Mrs Dent's favourite songs, Robbie Williams' Angels, was played.

The congregation sang Abide With Me and there were readings by parish team vicar, the Reverend Alice Snowden, who married the Dents.

As well as his widow and friends, the congregation included his parents Margaret and Mick, younger brother Christopher, and Lisa, 11, his daughter from a previous relationship.

Following the service, Mrs Dent, 27, said: "I was touched and astounded by the number who came. It just shows how many people from all walks of life knew and loved Jason. He'd be really pleased everyone came to pay their respects at the church and then at the Oddfellows pub, his favourite watering hole.''

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.