HUNDREDS of mourners turned out to pay tribute to ex-Welsh Government minister Carl Sargeant as he was laid to rest today.

The funeral of the Labour AM, who was found dead at his home on Tuesday, November 7, was held in his north Wales hometown of Connah's Quay.

The 49-year-old died just four days after being sacked from the Welsh Government cabinet and suspended from the Labour Party following allegations of misconduct around women.

Friends, family and colleagues, including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, gathered at St Mark's Church for the midday service. But first minister Carwyn Jones was not among them, having reportedly been asked not to attend by Mr Sargeant's family.

The church was full for the service with mourners, who were asked to wear brightly coloured clothes, also gathering outside.

Flowers and a Newcastle United football shirt were laid on top of Mr Sargeant's coffin, which was carried into the church to Michael Buble song Home.

Relatives, including his wife Bernie and children Lucy and Jack, wore bright colours, and Mr Sargeant's dog was also at the service.

Mourners were given white ribbons to wear as part of a campaign to end domestic violence against women, which was supported by Mr Sargeant.

The order of service described the funeral as a "service to celebrate the life of Carl Sargeant" and included the phrase "laugh, sing, dance and go on".

Mr Sargeant's Westminster counterpart Mark Tami said: "It's been very difficult for everyone.

"The number of people here shows what Carl meant and what he did."

Jack Sargeant had said the service would be a "celebration" of the life of his father, describing him as "kind, generous and the life and soul of the party".

He said: "Everyone who knew dad will understand he wouldn't want it any other way.

"He was never one for pomp. He was never one for 'airs and graces'. That was never his style."

At the end of the service, mourners were asked to join in with Mr Sargeant's favourite karaoke song, Dirty Old Town by The Pogues.

In a eulogy, Mr Sargeant's friend Daran Hill said: "If only everyone had shown him the same kindness he showed others."

Mr Hill urged members of the congregation to hug the person next to them in order to show the same kindness Mr Sargeant had shown.

He said: "That's the way Carl Sargeant touched people, in their lives, in their minds, in their hearts, in their souls."

The service was followed by karaoke at Connah's Quay Labour Club.

An inquest has been opened. His provisional cause of death was recorded as hanging.