Around 800 mourners attended the "biggest funeral ever held" at Camborne Church to remember a popular footballer who died just hours after celebrating his match-winning goal.

Friends, family and sporting colleagues turned out in their hundreds in memory of Gareth Caddy, 24, who died when his van collided with a wall in Four Lanes just over two weeks ago.

Gareth's mother, Sharon Cooper, led the family mourners and insisted on personally greeting every guest who attended the funeral.

The church was overflowing, with around 150 thought to have stood outside because they could not fit in the building.

Colin Matthews, funeral director, said: "It was the biggest funeral I have ever seen in Camborne Church."

Gareth's coffin was carried into the church to Eye of the Tiger, made famous in the boxing film Rocky, and making reference to Gareth's membership of the ABC Boxing Club. He also played football for Trevenson FC before moving to Praze FC as a centre-forward four months before his death.

The World's Greatest by R Kelly and Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol were also played, before the coffin was carried out to The One and Only by Chesney Hawkes. The funeral at Camborne Church, led by the Rev Olive Stevens, was followed by a short service and cremation at Truro's Penmount Crematorium, where Gareth's mother chose to play El Divo's Mama.

Pallbearers were Gareth's uncles, Jim and Paul Caddy, his stepfather Mark Cooper, cousin Christopher Cummisky, close friend and fellow member of ABC Boxing Robert Orthorn and close friend Gary O, from Trevenson FC.

There were so many floral tributes that they could not all fit into the hearse and some had to be carried behind in a truck.

The funeral and cremation was followed by a gathering at the Corn Exchange.

Gareth's younger sister, Nicole Caddy, 20, said the family could not believe how many people had attended the funeral.

Nicole said: "We want to thank everybody for their support. We've had so many cards and flowers. When we pulled up at the funeral it was amazing to see everybody, from the ages of eight up to 80. It was absolutely crazy. It's nice to realise that he touched so many people, from all those ages, in just 24 years."

She praised the courage of people who had knocked on the family home in Weeth Road, Camborne, to give their condolences and share stories of Gareth with his family.

Nicole said her brother was always there to support her and she looked up to him "a hell of a lot." At 6ft 6 tall, she described him as a "friendly giant" with a heart of gold.

"He's amazing. He'll never be forgotten - he's such a big character. You can never forget anybody like that and he'll always be in our hearts. Love never dies does it?" she added.

Gareth left a 19-month-old son, Harley. Despite splitting from his son's mother, Tasha, Gareth still regularly saw him and Harley has pictures of his father on his bedroom wall. Gareth's boxing trophies will be passed to his son, as will a lock of his hair and Gareth's gold chain that he received on his 18th birthday.

At the time he died, Gareth was living in Four Lanes with his new partner, Bernie. Just weeks before he had become a fully qualified scaffolder, after completing all the necessary courses.

Nicole said his family were finding it difficult to come to terms with their loss. "We still don't believe it. We're waiting for him to come through the door," she explained.

Gareth grew up in Camborne and attended St John's Primary School, Pool School and Camborne Community College.

A total of 69 tributes to Gareth have been left on the Packet website. To view the tributes and leave your own visit www.thepacket.co.uk and click on the Camborne news page.