Former Conservative lord chancellor Lord Hailsham of St Marylebone was buried after a private family service yesterday.

About 80 family members and friends gathered inside All Saints Church at Herstmonceux, near Hailsham, where the Tory peer lived.

Lord Hailsham died in London earlier this month, aged 94, following a long illness.

Among the mourners were his children and grandchildren as well as friends including the Bishop of Lewes.

Lord Hailsham's sons, Tory MP Douglas Hogg QC, a former agriculture minister, and James Hogg gave readings during the traditional service.

The Reverend Jim McKinney, who knew Lord Hailsham at his London home, gave the address.

He said: "Lord Hailsham was larger than life. He lived life to its fullest and that sprang from his gratitude to God.

"He cared very deeply about all the members of his family and all those who cared for him and that was repaid in many ways by the affection felt so deeply by all who came into contact with him."

After the service, the coffin, decked in white lilies and roses, was carried into the churchyard looking out across the countryside.

He was buried along with the ashes of his wife, Deirdre, who died in 1998.

A public memorial service is expected to be held at Westminster Abbey on January 23.

Lord Hailsham entered politics in 1938 when he won the Oxford seat, having been educated at the city's famous university.

He later challenged Alec Douglas Home for the Tory party leadership in 1963, a contest he only narrowly lost.

But it was his distinguished legal career which was as important to him as politics.

He became the longest-serving lord chancellor of the 20th Century after serving twice, from 1970 to 1974 and 1979 to 1987.

Prior to being a member of Margaret Thatcher's government, he had served in the cabinet of Tory prime minister Edward Heath.

He has also published books on law and politics.