Family and friends of speedboat crash victim Ian Langan said a final farewell yesterday at an emotion-packed funeral.

The six friends who went to sea with Ian on the fateful boat trip paid a special tribute to the "loveable rogue" with an eye for the ladies.

Among the tributes was one from his brother, Cliff, skippering the boat which hit that of Ian, 45, near the Palace Pier, Brighton, earlier this month.

Another brother, Glenn, reminded a packed congregation of the popular chef's love of boating, his exploits at sea and unique sense of fun.

Mr Langan said: "Sailing and his involvement with Brighton Marina Yacht Club changed his life and helped him correct its course.

"He loved his club and will be sorely missed I'm sure."

Addressing his brother he added: "Ian, you always were and will in our loving memory be a charming, loveable, sensitive rogue.

"See you later brother and by the way, it's your round."

His sister Elizabeth read out the words of someone who recently wrote to George Best before his liver transplant.

She said: "They wrote life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the number of moments that take your breath away.

"Ian certainly had his share of breathtaking moments. The pain and loss is unbearable.

"We will all miss Ian, especially his handsome face and winning smile."

Friend Claire Francis paid a tearful tribute to Ian's generosity, saying: "He was generous with his laughter, generous with his friendship, generous with his love for his family and friends and generous with his spirit for life."

Another friend said: "Outside the sky is blue, the sun is shining and in your mind's eye you can see Ian just as clearly, smiling his unique cheeky grin."

The chapel at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, echoed to the sound of music chosen by family members, with songs including I Believe I Can Fly and If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time by R Kelly and Marvin Gaye's What's Going On by .

Then as the family prepared to say a last goodbye, the strains of My Way by Frank Sinatra filled the air and the whole congregation stood to sing the final few choruses in a tribute to the handsome, fun-loving man with a love for the sea.

The funeral service programme, packed with tributes, referred to the boat-trip, saying "Seven good friends went to sea, only six returned."

And it left no doubt as to the way Ian Langan would be remembered by those who knew him, closing with a message to all the women in the next world: "Watch out, Ian Langan's about."

Two men are on police bail as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.