HUNDREDS of mourners turned out for the funeral of former Redditch Mayor Ken Somner on Monday.

The long serving former councillor and chairman of Redditch Co-operative Homes died on Thursday, September 15, aged 85.

The funeral was held at Abbey Cemetery Chapel and long-time Labour colleague Albert Wharrad said the crematorium had been ''completely packed''.

He added: "It was a very nice and very moving ceremony, conducted by Canon David Salt, who had himself known Ken for many years, and his wife's son Ray paid a very moving family tribute.

"I said a few words about Ken's involvement in the Labour Party and his work as a councillor - he earned the respect of a lot of people because he was so straightforward and honest."