Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of a pilot killed when his jet plunged into the sea during a display at Eastbourne's annual airshow.

A lone Red Arrow roared across the sky as the body of Ted Girdler was laid to rest near his home town yesterday.

More than 700 people turned out to pay their respects to the popular pilot who died when his L-29 Delfin jet failed to pull out of a dive during an aerobatics display at Airbourne 2000 almost two weeks ago.

His family led mourners to St Mary's Church in Margate, Kent, and a service which included readings from some of his former colleagues in the RAF.

Mr Girdler, 63, from Broadstairs, Kent, was himself a former Red Arrows pilot and had performed at countless airshows across the country.

The flypast by one of the famous red jet-planes was a rare honour by the RAF.

Air chief marshal Sir Peter Squires was among the many VIPs to turn out along with RAF pilots and officers.

One of Mr Girdler's sons read a poem he had written called Airport.

Speaking after the service, RAF flight lieutenant Adam Davies said: "He was an extremely generous man who was held in very high regard both for his aviation technique but also in terms of him as a person.

"The number of people who turned up is an indication of how highly he was held."

Insp Keith Butler of Thanet Police, a close friend of Mr Girdler and fellow pilot, said: "Ted was a gentleman. He's a shining example of a superb aviator.

"The funeral was an absolutely fitting tribute for him."

Investigations into the crash are continuing and wreckage from the 40-year-old plane is still being washed up on Eastbourne beaches.

An inquest into Mr Girdler's death is expected to be held early next year.