Mourners in farewell to Lord Tarsem King
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral today of former Sandwell Council leader and mayor Lord Tarsem King. Lord King was the UK's first Sikh peer.
A road was closed off and wardens on hand to help with parking as the mourners, including politicians and dignitaries, came to pay their respects.
Lord King died suddenly last week, aged 75, after collapsing at Euston station as he headed back to the Midlands from the House of Lords. He died in hospital of a suspected heart attack.
Roebuck Lane, where Lord King lived, was this morning closed off as mourners started to line the street an hour before the funeral procession started its journey to Sandwell Valley Crematorium.
Among those attending was Lord Peter Snape, the former West Bromwich East MP, who said: "It is mark of the esteem that Lord King has held that so many member of the community have come to pay their respects."
Lord King served as leader of Sandwell Council from 1997 to 2001. He was elevated to the House of Lords in 1999.
He was married to Mohinder and had one son, Raj, and two grandchildren.
The chapel was so full today that some people had to go into the meeting room and others watched the service on screens outside.
