A letter from the Prince of Wales was among the tributes at an emotional funeral service for the doyen of traditional English folk music.

There was standing room only at the service for Bob Copper, who died at the age of 89 on March 29.

The village of Rottingdean came to a standstill as his ashes were taken through the village to St Margaret's Church on a horse-drawn cart driven by farmer David Baker on Saturday.

More than 300 people silently followed the beautiful black Percheron horses Diamond and Polly as they trotted up High Street with their bells clanging.

Even more mourners were waiting at the church.

It was a fitting turnout for a man who could trace his family roots in Rottingdean back to 1593 and, thanks to his large clan, ensured Sussex folk songs and lore will last into the future.

Bob, who was brought up on local farms, died just four days after he had been made an MBE for his contribution to English folk music by Prince Charles.

The day before the service his son, John, received an unexpected letter from the Prince saying how shocked he was to hear of the death.

It was read out by John to the packed church and relayed through loudspeakers outside so those who could not squeeze in were able to hear.

It ended: "Your father was clearly a remarkable man.

"I can only pray his vast knowledge of folk music and traditional English songs has been passed on to others who can help us maintain these wonderful traditions."

The service lasted two-and-a-half hours.

Compered by broadcaster Piers Bishop, it was recorded by Radio 4 as part of a tribute to Bob Copper to be broadcast later this year.

It included his songs and some witty stories.

Internationally-renowned folk singer Shirley Collins, from Lewes, said: "He could make you laugh, he could move you to tears.

"Had there been as many years as there are blades of grass, he could never have done as much as he did for us."

Father Martin Morgan, vicar of Rottingdean, who had led the procession up High Street, urged mourners to treat the service as a celebration of Bob's life.

There was a tribute from Patrick Garland, the former artistic director of the Chichester Festival Theatre, who praised Bob's contribution to life in Sussex, which included a spell as a police constable in Worthing.

Each tribute and song in honour of Bob was greeted with applause.

Instead of funeral hymns there were folk songs from artists Will Duke, Dan Quinn, Jeff Davis and Gerret Warner, who had flown in from the United States to be part of the celebration.

They told how Bob's stamp had been left on the American folk music scene.

There was hardly a dry eyein the church as generations of the Copper family ended the service with a medley of songs, such as Thousands Or More, the West Sussex Drinking Song and Find Me At Home.

It was hard to believe the next Copper family concert in Sussex will not feature bearded Bob singing away.