Pianist Russ Conway's best-known hit, Side Saddle, was played as 900 mourners paid their last respects at his funeral today.

The Queen Mother was believed to be one of Conway's biggest fans during a 40-year career in which he sold more than 20 million records and had two number ones with Side Saddle and Roulette.

Today, Sir Elton John sent flowers and showbusiness friends, including singer Rosemary Squires and composer Les Reed, joined fans and relatives for a service at St Mary Redcliffe Church, Bristol.

Conway, born Trevor Stanford, played the organ at St Mary's as a boy.

His friend Richard Hope-Hawkins told mourners at the 45-minute service that Conway was an international star who had brought happiness to millions and worked tirelessly for his own cancer charity.

He said: "He was a true friend not only to his family but to his fellow showbusiness friends."

Mr Hope-Hawkins said Conway once told him: "I have no idea what I could do if I stopped playing and so there's only one thing that will stop me."

Speaking after the service, Miss Squires said: "He wrote fantastic melodies, he'll be sadly missed."

Many of the mourners were elderly people who remembered Conway from when he was growing up in the Bedminster area of Bristol.

Some were in tears as his coffin was taken through the church, preceded by a large flower arrangement in the shape of a grand piano bearing the words To Uncle Trevor.

Conway died in hospital in Eastbourne on November 16, aged 75, following a battle with cancer.