Village in tribute to huntsman

Hundreds of mourners packed out a village church to say goodbye to a Shropshire man who died after a horse riding accident.Crowds gathered at St Leonard's Church in Woore yesterday, lining the churchyard and road alongside it, for the funeral of Mike Slater, 49, of Aston, near Market Drayton.

Hounds and horses accompanied the coffin to the church and on a final journey around the village, before a private cremation.

The Reverend Adrian Leighton told mourners: "Mike was a man with many different interests, which are represented by all the people who are here today. He very much belonged to the community, and that is also expressed by those present today."

Mr Slater was airlifted to hospital after he came off his horse during a hunt on February 2. He died at the North Staffordshire Royal Infirmary four days later from further complications.

He had been on a legal trail with the North Staffordshire Hunt, of which he was a member.

Members of the hunt were among the congregation yesterday and three riders in traditional scarlet coats led hounds alongside the funeral procession, while two of Mr Slater's close friends rode two of his horses, Soloman and Beamish.

Mr Slater's family had arranged for his coffin to be carried by a horse-drawn hearse around Woore after the service, his scarlet hunt coat and hat on top of the coffin.

Crowds clapped as the hearse passed by with Mr Slater's widow Debbie next to the driver. The family had requested donations to the County Air Ambulance and North Staffordshire Hunt.

Mr Slater also leaves a son, Richard, from his first marriage, his mother Beryl, brother Denis and sister Jane.

The hearse arriving at the church.

Mourners outside the church.

The coffin is taken into the church.

The hearse leaving the church after the service.

The hearse and members of the North Staffordshire

Hunt ride past the church.

Members of the North Staffordshire Hunt ride with hounds.