HUNDREDS of mourners paid their last respects today to heroic sportsman Mike Pyke -- an inspiration champion.

The 35 year-old international weightlifting champion has lost his battle with cancer and is now reunited in death with his best mate and fellow wheelchair wonder Dave Smith, who passed away several months ago.

Mike died at his bungalow home in Green Street, Hindsford after months of treatment and spells in Christie Hospital, Wigan Infirmary and Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

Earlier this year he had vowed to beat the killer illness after cancer was diagnosed -- saying at the time "this is one battle I can't afford to lose" -- just months after lifting his world title in America. Sadly it was one fight too many. Mike's wife, Pauline, his stepson Kenneth Hill, and close family and friends know how brave he had been especially in the past 18 months when he had been tormented by the highs and lows of life. He had shrugged off the pain of an operation and the loss of his close pal to take on and beat the world's best at the International Bench Press Championships in the USA -- proudly wearing his best mate Dave's weightlifting suit.

And afterwards he proudly handed his trophy to Dave's parents, Audrey and Leo Smith, in memory of his great pal from Tyldesley.

Mike was always ready to bounce back from adversity and the ability with which he did this time and again makes it all the more difficult to believe he had been unable to overcome the final hurdle.

Born with spina bifida Mike grew-up determined and independent -- why should he ask anybody to do things for him if he could manage to do it for himself?

That attitude and determination, combined with a high degree of talent, took Mike Pyke right to the top. Yet he still found time to help others and had recently begun his second three-year term as a governor of Mere Oaks Special School where he himself had been a pupil.

Mike's wife, Pauline, told the Journal : "He had been in the hospice and in hospital but we decided he should come home. Mike did not know why. He had a steady flow of visitors call to see him from nine o'clock in the morning until 10 o'clock at night.

"In the end it was so quick. Mike didn't have any regrets."

The funeral today took place at 11.15 am at Tyldesley Parish Church followed by burial at Tyldesley Cemetery.