Jane Tomlinson funeral take place

The funeral of inspirational charity fundraiser Jane Tomlinson has taken place in Leeds.

Mrs Tomlinson's husband, Mike, and the couple's three children, Steven, 10, Rebecca, 19, and Suzanne, 21, were joined by friends, family and figures from the world of sport and television for the ceremony at St Anne's Cathedral in the city.

The 43-year-old lost her seven-year battle with terminal cancer last week.

There was a round of applause from the thousands gathered outside the Catholic cathedral as the hearse containing her coffin pulled up outside.

A large screen was placed in the city's Millennium Square and more than a thousand people watched the service which was led by the Rt Rev Arthur Roche, Bishop of Leeds.

In his introduction he spoke of Mrs Tomlinson's bravery and said that friends of the family had gathered at the cathedral to remember and honour "a very great lady".

He added: "Jane was a woman of exceptional courage and deep faith, a loving wife and a proud mother, a devoted daughter, a valued friend - a much admired champion and a revered citizen of this city - and beyond.

"She loved life and lived it to the full despite her own painful illness."

Having defied doctors who gave her just months to live after her diagnosis in 2000, Jane raised more than £1.75 million through a series of gruelling endurance events.

In June 2003 she was awarded the MBE for her work and she was made a CBE four years later.

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