A West Sussex councillor who died aged 45 has been remembered as "an inspiration to all" at her funeral.

More than 100 mourners were at the service for Gilly Sweet, a Labour councillor who represented Mash Barn ward on Adur District Council.

Coun Sweet had been a kidney dialysis patient for 23 years and died in her sleep on February 13.

Her husband, Nigel Sweet, a former councillor, said she was "a strong, high-spirited, intelligent person" despite her frail body.

He said his wife lived life to the full and loved books, food, gardening, quizzes, friends and family.

The congregation heard it was this enthusiasm which infused Coun Sweet's passion for campaigning, elections and working for Labour.

Mr Sweet met his future wife on their first day at the University of Sussex in 1976.

He said: "She enjoyed every minute with a confidence and optimism that inspired us all.

"It was very easy to love Gilly because she welcomed and gave love and friendship.

"I am so happy that I knew Gilly and loved Gilly and so privileged that she chose me for her husband."

He said they might have been happier if she had been healthier but they could not have loved one another more.

Friends and family at Downs crematorium in Brighton wept as they were asked to look back on Coun Sweet's life.

They listened to Bob Dylan's Forever Young and Days by The Kinks.

In a non-religious ceremony, crematorium official Katharina Van Gend described her as "a woman of principle, which was expressed in the way she lived her life".

She read out quotes from mourners that paid tribute to Coun Sweet's sense of justice, courage, generosity and vibrancy in life.

The congregation, which included Brighton MPs Des Turner and David Lepper, Adur District Council chairman Don Phillips and councillors from across Sussex, left the chapel to the sound of Don McLean's American Pie.

After the service, the group of mourners returned to the Sweets' home in Shoreham.