Punch and Judy man Mike Stone took his final bow yesterday at a funeral as colourful as one of his infamous shows on Brighton seafront.

Mr Stone - known as Sgt Stone - died on April 19, the day after his 54th birthday after a battle against liver disease.

The longest serving Punch and Judy man in the country, with over 30 years of regular shows, had scripted his own farewell.

He stipulated nobody should wear black and that it should be a fun celebration, ending with a huge party.

And his friends from the entertainment world did not let him down.

They arrived at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, as if they were going to a fancy dress party, wearing coloured jackets, bright shirts and ties and wacky headgear.

The pink and red wreath on the coffin was in the shape of Mr Punch's face.

Mr Stone's favourite Mr Punch puppet, which he made himself, lay in the coffin beside him.

Disco music replaced hymns, and instead of solemn prayers there was clapping and cheering.

Drag artists Betty Swallocks and Dame Margot Hamilton dressed in their pantomime costumes, while entertainer Mark Sinclair wore a turban-style hat with huge golden flowers sprouting from the top.

One mourner carried red and white balloons, and there was even a well-behaved whippet dog called Nanook in the chapel.

Other well-known names from the Brighton and Hove entertainment world included writer and performer Binky Baker, illusionist Lynn Thomas and Andy Cunningham from the Bodger and Badger children's TV show.

There was no order of service, just a brightly-coloured leaflet with a picture of Sgt Stone peeping out from his portable Punch and Judy stage, and the words of his favourite "hymn" Oh, I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside.

There were also stories and pictures depicting his fun life.

Amanda Lucas, a close friend, started the service with one of Mr Stone's favourite phrases: "Let's have a show."

She described him as a wonderful man who brought laughter and joy to people's lives.

She said: "He had a wonderful gift, with his cheeky sense of humour, for putting on Punch and Judy shows."

Another friend, John Crowther, said: "He was the most outrageous, exciting and funniest friend you could have."

Former Brighton councillor Nimrod Ping, another long-standing friend, said: "We thank you for all the fun and laughter but especially for being our friend."

The service ended with the disco hit It's Raining Men, before guests moved on for more partying at a Hove restaurant.