Dalian Atkinson laid to rest at funeral in home town of Telford

Stars from the football world joined mourners as emotional tributes were paid to ex-Aston Villa striker Dalian Atkinson at his funeral on Saturday.

The 48-year-old died after he was shot with a police Taser when officers were called to an incident in his home town of Telford, Shropshire, earlier this year.

Hundreds of mourners - including family members, former Villa players Ian Taylor and Tommy Johnson, and football fans - gathered at the town's crematorium to see the striker laid to rest.

Atkinson was fatally shot in the street where he had grown up, in an incident involving West Mercia Police officers, on August 15.

He died 90 minutes later, despite hospital doctors carrying out CPR for more than half an hour in a bid to save him.

At his funeral, during the humanist service, celebrant Peter Mansell, said: "There was no- one quite like Dalian, there never was before and there never will be again."

As a schoolboy, Atkinson was spotted by talent scouts, leading to his apprenticeship at Ipswich Town where he progressed into the first team.

Atkinson also played for Sheffield Wednesday, Real Sociedad, Fenerbahce and Manchester City (on loan) during his career, and also represented the England 'B' side.

Mr Mansell added: "He found sitting at a school desk boring, but excelled at football and athletics."

He said Atkinson loved the "playboy lifestyle" was "energetic, cheeky and funny" but also "generous, caring and protective".

Family man Atkinson was "an inspiration to his nieces and nephews" and often went home "for his mother's home cooking".

"For those who loved Dalian, a part of their world is gone," said Mansell.