HUNDREDS of people gathered yesterday to say a final farewell to a talented rugby player and his father, who died in a road accident.

About 500 mourners were at St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington, for the funeral of Paul and Andrew Austen. The church was so full, some people had to stand.

The pair died in a traffic accident on Sunday, February 11, in Burtree Lane, north of Darlington. They had been travelling to a training session when the accident took place.

The coffins were carried into the church as Walking on Sunshine, by Katrina and the Waves, played.

Some of 14-year-old Andrew's team-mates at Darlington Mowden Park Rugby Football Club's under-15s carried his coffin.

In a gesture of tribute, many of the girls and women wore yellow ribbons.

The Venerable Granville Gibson, who led the service, said: "None of us would have chosen to be here today for the funeral of Paul and Andrew.

"We would all wish that the events of that tragic day were just a bad dream and we could see Andrew's cheeky grin and Paul's smile again.

"But the reality is that we are here in church to thank God for all that each of them has meant to us."

Tributes remembering 42-year-old Mr Austen, a self-employed computer programmer, and Longfield School pupil Andrew, who was known as Jacko to his team-mates, were read before When I'm Gone, by Eminem.

Mourners heard that, in accordance with Andrew's wishes, some of his organs had been donated and were already helping others.

Mr Gibson said: "Behind that cheeky smile was a heart of gold."

The hymn Praise My Soul was sung and prayers said.

Mourners were asked to sing along with UB40's Swing Low, Sweet Chariot as the coffins were carried out of the church.

* The Northern Echo attended the service with the permission of the family.