Hundreds of people including community leaders and members of Parliament attended the funeral of UK's first Sikh peer Lord Tarsem King who died last week in a hospital. Community members and mourners paid tributes to 75-year-old former Sandwell Council leader and mayor yesterday in his tearful adieu.

Speaking at Lord King's funeral in West Bromwich, Virendra Sharma, MP described him as a kind, gentle and community oriented man and long-standing public servant.

Sharma said, "I want to pay tribute to Lord King as a dedicated member who has made great contributions to Parliament and the community."

"I have had a long association with Lord King and today, I am saddened at the loss of a great man, friend and community and society leader," he said.

Lord King was a very humble and compassionate man and very well respected. Lord King has left an extraordinary legacy that will be remembered by future generations, he added.

Many people attended the funeral with screens set up outside the crematorium so that they could pay their last respects to the departed soul.