St Michael's Church in Helston was packed to capacity for the funeral of Adrian King, who died suddenly while playing football at the age of 52.

Extra seating had to be brought in to accommodate the hundreds of mourners who gathered to remember Mr King, who ran KC Renovation Treatments on the Water-ma-Trout industrial estate in Helston.

A keen sportsman, Mr King collapsed while playing football at the multi-use games area at Helston Community College on Sunday, March 25.

Despite attempts by friends and paramedics to resuscitate him, he never came round.

Mr King, who at the time of his death lived in Nanscober Place, Helston, spent his early childhood in Sithney. At the age of five, he moved with his family to Grange Road, Helston, where his mother, Stephanie, still lives.

Having served an apprenticeship at Holmans in Camborne and worked there for several years, he set up KC Renovations with business partner Roger Cleave in the early 1980s, becoming the sole proprietor in around 1990.

A former retained firefighter based at Helston fire station, Mr King continued to support the service on leaving the brigade, taking part in various fundraising initiatives.

But it was sport that was his main love - dividing his time between his twin passions of football and bowling.

Having played football for both Helston and Mullion in his younger days, Mr King, a dedicated Plymouth Argyle fan, still enjoyed taking part in local five-a-side matches.

A member of Helston Bowling Club for many years, he was in the men's A team and won the club's singles championships on several occasions.

Tributes posted on the Packet website following Mr King's death recalled his love of sports and keeping fit, as well as his genuine, kind-hearted character and friendly smile.

His cousin, Ann Eddy, with whom Mr King always danced on Flora Day, summed him up as a "brilliant person", while neighbour Douglas Wright said he was "one of the nicest people that we have ever met".

Representatives of sports clubs from all over Cornwall attended the funeral service, which was taken by the Rev David Miller.

Members of Helston Bowling Club were among the bearers, while the bowling clubs of Holmans, Porthmeor, Penzance, Camborne, Porthleven, Penlee, Bickford Smith and Cornwall Bowls western division were also represented.

Helston football club was represented, as were Truro Lads five-a-side football and the Boys Youth Club football team.

Helston fire station was represented, along with the county service and fire stations at Falmouth and Mullion.

ETS in Helston was also represented.

Mourners gathered at Wheal Dream, near Helston, following a private cremation at Penmount. Donations were invited in aid of CLIC Sargent and the Cornish Heart Unit Fund.

Mr King leaves his mother, Stephanie, his son James, 18, brother Ron, fiancee Joy and her children, Emma and Alex.

Other family mourners: Mrs P Green, rep Miss M King (aunts); Mr and Mrs M Polglase (cousins) rep Noella Richards and family in Canada; Pat Mill (cousin) rep D and B Goad; Mr and Mrs M King, Mrs R Jose, Mr Scott Polglase, Mrs Ann Eddy, Mathew Warrington, Christopher Warrington, Mrs M Stephens, Helen Roke rep M Jose, Nick and Emily Jose, Paul Williams rep Mark and Ian Williams, Jean Williams rep Desmond Williams (cousins); Val (Joy's mother) and Derek Wain, from Shropshire.

Mr King's close friend, Colin Keyes, a Cornishman now living in Australia, was represented by Jack and Jo Aitken, from Penzance.

Bearers: Ron King, Terry Channon, Martin Geary, Colin Jose, Mike Ruberry and Derek Summers.

Funeral director: Pendle Funeral Services.