Funeral of Lord David Wharton

Friends and relatives gathered to pay their respects to the popular father-of-six, who died after he was assaulted on a night out in York.

Onlookers lined the streets around St Denys Church, in Walmgate, to watch the funeral procession.

A police motorcycle led the procession from Walmgate Bar to the church, followed by a horse-drawn carriage carrying the coffin.

On top of the carriage were floral tributes of white lilies and Chrysanthemums spelling out "Dad".

It was followed by two cars of chief mourners including Mr Wharton's widow, Dawn, and two vans laden with other flowers, some spelling out "Our Davy".

The vans were followed by a stream of cars of tearful mourners Reverend David Goodhew, vicar of St Oswalds Church in Fulford, took the service.

The service was followed by an interment at Fulford Cemetery.

Police will 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.

Last week The Press told how an inquest heard Mr Wharton, 56, the uncle of famous boxer Henry Wharton, had died of head injuries.

He was assaulted during a night out and returned home with a bruised face. He was ill during the night and complained of headaches.

His wife 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.

* See Friday's Press for a full report and pictures