HUNDREDS of mourners said tearful last goodbyes to a talented York angler whose life was cruelly cut short by a hit-and-run driver.

It was standing-room only at Copmanthorpe Methodist Church yesterday as more than 200 people gathered to pay tribute to Ben Coulson.

Family and friends dodged a torrential downpour to remember 27-year-old Ben, who had "great enthusiasm and zeal for life".

Ben died after being hit by a car that failed to stop as he crossed a road in Acomb, York. A man arrested after the incident is on police bail pending further inquiries.

In an eventful 27 years, Ben, from Foxwood, secured a string of top angling honours, after being taught by his father, Ron.

Picked for the England under-21 squad at the age of only 15, Ben swept junior opposition aside and starred in national contests.

Fittingly, for somebody who "lived for fishing", his coffin had a rod and line mounted on the top.

The Rev Maurice Staton said the packed congregation was a tribute to Ben's caring personality.

He told mourners how Ben attended Copmanthorpe Primary School and a mid-week youth group at the village church. He later completed a fisheries course at Leicestershire College, and was due to start a new job and move in with his girlfriend when tragedy struck.

Said Mr Staton: "Ben had a great sense of humour, a great sense of fun. He had great enthusiasm and zeal for life. He was full of adventure and had a caring heart."

"Fishing was his life - there was no doubt about that. Now his rod and line are hung up."

A moving poem from Ben's mum, Elaine Hawley, called If Tomorrow Never Comes, was read during the service.

At the end of the emotional ceremony, pictures of Ben's life from childhood onwards were shown on a large projector as one of his favourite pop songs, 99 Red Balloons, played in the background.

After the service, burial took place at Copmanthorpe Cemetery.

Money collected during the service will be donated to the York Hospital intensive care unit, where Ben was treated for multiple injuries after the March crash. Ben's mother yesterday praised medics who fought to save her son.

The Evening Press attended the funeral service with the permission of Ben's family.

Updated: 10:50 Tuesday, April 27, 2004