ONE thousand mourners turned out today for the funeral of a sports-mad dad-of-two affectionately known as Mr Angry.

St Peter’s Church in Darwen was packed out for the laughter-filled ceremony in memory of Paul Taylor who died of a heart attack minutes after a gym workout aged 42.

Among floral tributes included ones that spelled out 'Big Angry' and 'Our Paul'.

During the service a family friend Sam Stone read out a light-hearted tribute, prompting bouts of laughter from the congregation.

He said: “Paul always said that a funeral is the best day of your life, it’s just a shame that you can’t be there to enjoy it.

“Known as Big Man or Mr Angry, he was a larger than life character, a family man and a great friend.

“He gave 110 per cent in all of his endevours.

“During the past week the text messages I’ve received have called him Warrior and Number One.

"He had so much respect - not for doing anything to please, but by being himself.

“He called a spade a spade, and didn’t suffer fools gladly, but if he did, he cut their gas off!”

Officers from Darwen Neighbourhood Policing Team were called to marshall the heavy traffic through the town centre.

The family friend continued: “I’m sure Paul would have been glad to see the police helping out with the traffic today.

"Unfortunately, they’re going to have to find someone else to test their CS gas on now.”

Rather than have a minute of silence to celebrate Mr Taylor’s life, mourners stood to applaud.

Songs played during the service included Always by Bon Jovi, Luther Vandross’ Dance with My Father, Amazing Grace, and to end the service, Meatloaf’s Paradise By The Dashboard Light, which Rev Andrew Holliday said 'summed Paul up'.

Mr Taylor of Grenada Close, Lower Darwen, suffered a heart attack on Sunday, February 21.

The property developer was a former bodybuilder, doorman, golfer and boxer.

In the last 10 years he had attending some of the biggest fights in the world and was a benefactor of the Fit2XL boxing club in Albert Mill, Lower Darwen.

He had raised thousands through sponsored skydive and walk from Blackpool to Darwen.

The former Darwen Vale pupil leaves his partner of 28 years, Michelle Kitchin, 42, and their children Paul, 19 and Sammy-Jo, 15.