HUNDREDS of mourners turned out to pay their last respects to a well-known York traveller.

Motorists faced lengthy delays in the city, as a stream of cars backed up to Fishergate from St Oswald's Church, in Main Street, Fulford, during Edward Wharton's funeral service yesterday morning.

Scores of cars, vans and trucks filled pavements and grass verges along the road.

Edward, 44, who was known as Eddie to his family and friends, died on January 5 in St James' Hospital, Leeds, after being diagnosed with cancer 12 weeks earlier.

York-born Eddie was the older brother of Henry Wharton, who fought three times for a world title and was British, Commonwealth and European super-middleweight champion.

Eddie, who was a tradesman and lived in the Leeman Road area, had four brothers and six sisters. He had a one-year-old son with his wife, Sharon, and three children - two boys and a girl - from previous relationships.

His niece Stacey Fletcher, 22, said: "It was a really nice service and very emotional for all the family. He will be greatly missed by all his family and his friends."

The church was filled to overflowing, and about 200 mourners were forced to wait outside throughout the service.

Four pick-up trucks parked outside were covered with flowers for Eddie, with tributes including "Brother", "Warrior", and a number "11" in a heart shape.

Rev David Goodhew, who took the service, said: "There is a really strong sense of support among the travelling community. People showed up to pay their respects and support the bereaved."

A lengthy funeral cortge wound its way to Fulford Cemetery for his burial, before mourners travelled to a wake at St Lawrence Working Men's Club, in Lawrence Street, in the afternoon.

A police spokesman said: "Traffic was moving a bit slower than normal along Fulford Road but we had no major problems reported to us."

The road was cleared by 11.45am.

Updated: 09:45 Saturday, January 14, 2006