Hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects to a 'wonderful' former council leader.

Heartfelt tributes were paid at a service of thanksgiving to remember Colin Law, who died after a short battle with illness last month.

Mr Law, 74, was leader of Waveney District Council for six years, having served as a councillor in the Oulton Broad ward of the Lowestoft-based council since 2002.

Family, friends, colleagues and councillors – including newly re-elected Waveney MP Peter Aldous – were joined by people from across the community as they packed into Christ Church in Lowestoft for a public memorial service this afternoon (Friday).

Greatly loved and sorely missed by all his family and friends, Rev Matthew Payne led the poignant service which included prayers, three hymns and a reading from former mayor Nick Webb.

Rev Payne said: 'We are here from all across the political spectrum – let's be united in supporting the family as we remember and give thanks to the life of Colin.'

Born in Liverpool, Mr Law became an apprentice electrician after leaving school and this saw him move to Norfolk to become an aircraft electrician. After meeting his future wife Deanna at a dance in 1963, the couple married in Brandon in 1965, before eventually moving to Lowestoft in 1970. Here he worked for a number of firms, including SLP and Amec. A lifelong Liverpool FC fan, Mr Law enjoyed a range of music, was passionate about sport and enjoyed holidaying with family and friends.

Among numerous touching tributes paid by family, friends and colleagues, communications manager at Waveney District Council, Phil Harris, said: 'Colin was a wonderful councillor, leader, colleague and friend and we all miss him enormously.'

Mr Law leaves his wife, Deanna, two daughters, three grandchildren and a great-grandchild. Thanking everyone for numerous messages of support, his daughters Nicola and Amanda, said: 'We are so grateful for everybody's wishes, and so pleased that you are all here to remember our father Colin. It means the world to us.'

Speaking after the service, Mr Aldous said: 'Having worked with Colin since he became council leader in 2011, whenever there was an issue to sort he always got on with it. He was the finisher. Above all he was a family man who will be sadly missed.'