The funeral for the creator of the classic car of the Sixties was held yesterday at Arundel Cathedral.

Mourners packed the cathedral to take part in celebrating the life of John Cooper who lived in East Preston and who died aged 77 on Christmas Eve.

Dozens of Mini Coopers, the cars which bear his name, could be seen jammed in parking spaces around the town as the sun broke through the clouds.

Racing greats came to pay their respects to the man who did so much to increase motor racing's popularity.

After the service Jackie Stewart said: "John Cooper was one of the greats in motor sport and was known around the world. He had endless enthusiasm and energy and I for one benefited from his knowledge and experience. He will be sadly missed by everyone in the sport."

John Cooper was awarded the CBE in last year's New Year's Honour's List for his services to the motor industry.

The Cooper Car Company was the first British motor racing manufacturer to win the Formula One constructors' championship which it achieved for two years running and Jack Brabham won championship titles in Cooper-Climax cars in 1959 and 1960.

John Cooper persuaded the Mini's creator Sir Alec Issigonis, to let him produce a high performance version of the car even though he did not believe it was going to be a success.

The car was an overnight success and the more powerful Cooper S which followed in 1963 was even more popular.

It became the car of the Sixties and was immortalised in the Michael Caine classic film 'The Italian Job'.

John Cooper leaves a widow, Paula, son Michael and daughter Sally.