HUNDREDS of mourners were expected to pack a York church for the funeral of Lord David Wharton today.

Friends and relatives from as far away as London and Manchester were due to travel to York for the funeral of the father-of-six.

Mr Wharton, 56, the uncle of famous boxer Henry Wharton, died after he was assaulted on a night out in York.

The Reverend David Goodhew, vicar of St Oswald's Church, in Fulford, who was taking the service at St Denys's Church, in Walmgate, at 10am, said he hoped it would be of some comfort to Mr Wharton's family.

The service was to be followed by an interment at Fulford Cemetery, at 11am.

Police made plans to have extra resources available in the city centre all day, with more patrols in the area because of the large number of mourners expected to attend.

City of York Council warned motorists that Peel Street Car Park would be closed to members of the public from 8am until 2pm today, while the funeral took place.

Some city centre pubs also said they were planning to close for the occasion.

Last week, The Press told how an inquest heard Mr Wharton, a grandfather of two, had died of head injuries.

He was assaulted during a night out, leaving him with bruising to his eye and mouth. He returned home, but complained of headaches during the night His wife, Dawn, found him dead at their home in Constantine Avenue, Tang Hall, the following day.

An ambulance was called to reports of a man who had suffered a heart attack, but when paramedics turned up they were threatened with an axe and baseball bats.

They called the police, who then raided the house and discovered Mr Wharton's body.

Three days later, detectives investigating the death arrested a 46-year-old local man, but he was later released on police bail.