Rachael Heyhoe Flint funeral: Hundreds gather to pay final farewell to Wolves and England cricket legend - VIDEO

Hundreds of people gathered outside St Peter's Church in Wolverhampton with the city centre coming to a standstill to pay tribute to the Wolves vice-president and ex-England women's cricket captain.

It was the biggest public outpouring since the funeral of the 77-year-old's dear friend Sir Jack Hayward two years ago.

• Follow events as they happened this afternoon here

• See pictures from the day here

Lyricist Sir Tim Rice, Sir Trevor Brooking, Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis, former England cricket captain Mike Gatting and broadcasters Judith Chalmers, Suzi Perry and Jacqui Oatley were among the mourners.

Angela Rippon gave an emotional eulogy, saying that Rachael had 'stolen our hearts'.

Jody Craddock, Steve Bull, Danny Baath and Don Goodman attended as well as manager Paul Lambert and Steve Morgan and ex-chief executive Jez Moxey.

Mr Morgan said: "Anyone who met Rachael knows she was one of the most amazing people to have walked this planet.

She was so talented at everything, she had a heart as big as the city and she had more energy than the National Grid."

The cortège left Molineux shortly after 1.30pm where staff and fans had gathered to pay their respects.

Wolves figures through the decades pay tribute to Rachael Heyhoe Flint

Despite the bitter cold, Wolves fans lined the streets in their old gold scarves and applauded as the hearse made the short journey to the city centre.

St Peter's Church was packed with friends and family, as well as 50 Wolves fans who had received tickets through a public ballot.

Outside, the thanksgiving service was relayed on speakers to a crowd of mourners gathered opposite the Lady Wulfrun statue.

Reverend David Wright said Rachael had told him she wanted it to be a happy occasion 'like Sir Jack's – but less grand'.

He added: "For Rachael's family, for this great city, for this football club, and for the worlds of sport, politics, media and charity, her death is a painful loss and leaves a gap that no-one else can ever fill. Rachael was unique – one of a kind."

But he added that the service was to be a 'thanksgiving' for all that she had achieved in her life.

Judith Chalmers gave a reading by Joyce Grenfell and Rachael's grandsons Oliver and Giles Flint prompted great laughter with a playful reading of The Anxious Pooh Song by AA Milne.

Angela Rippon's eulogy, entitled Breaking News, took the form of an amusing bulletin outlining some of Rachael's humorous 'crimes' ending with: "Most of all, she stole our hearts."