Former MP Sir Andrew Bowden paid tribute to animal rights campaigner Rena Collins at her funeral.

Sir Andrew told mourners at the service at Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Dorset Gardens, Kemp Town, Brighton: "Rena Elizabeth Collins was a lady of great courage, determination and compassion. She devoted her life to the service of all Gods creation."

Sir Andrew, former Kemptown MP, said at yesterday's service: "Rena understood that animals are sentient human beings with feelings, emotions and intelligence.

"She played a major part in bringing about the closure of the Brighton Dolphinarium, a grisly concrete prison. Those of you who ever visited it I am sure have never forgotten it."

Mourners attended the service for Mrs Collins, of Dorset Gardens, who died aged 78 on Boxing Day.

Her friend Mike Britton read out a prayer written by Mrs Collins called Too Soon, Elizabeth Taylor gave a reading from the Bible and another friend Gloria McCarey played classical guitar and sang God Gave Life To The Animals.

Two hymns were also sung, All Things Bright And Beautiful and How Great Thou Art.

The Reverend Cynthia Park, who led the service said: "She was full of passion, passion that erupted in all sorts of ways."

Mrs Collins was born in Wales on October 10, 1927, the youngest of three girls, Kathleen and May.

The only surviving sister, Kathleen, was too unwell to attend the funeral, although May's daughter Janet was at the service.

Mrs Collins had an idyllic country childhood in Hampshire and left school to work in a bookshop.

Described as a beautiful and lively young woman, Mrs Collins and her sister May would enjoy dancing through the night as people attempted to live life to the full in the uncertain years of the Second World War.

She met her husband Derek Collins in a restaurant in London where he worked, and the couple married and moved to Sussex.

Rev Park said: "They came to the seaside, working at Butlins and running holiday flats in Saltdean.

"She enjoyed motorbikes and sports cars and her wardrobe."

The couple had a full and glamorous social life until Mr Collins left Rena and they divorced.

She looked for another avenue in her life and dedicated herself to campaigning for creatures after a leaflet about animal rights was pushed through her letter box in 1980.

A poet and prolific letter writer, Mrs Collins launched many animal rights campaigns and protests and was known for her forthright views. Mourners heard these views sometimes caused rifts in her relationships, although these were never permanent.

Rev Park told mourners Mrs Collins once refused to speak to her for several months when she could not promise her she would not eat meat again.

She said: "She was a remarkable lady."

Mrs Collins' wicker coffin was carried out of the church to Elvis's Are You Lonesome Tonight for a private service at Woodingdean Cemetery.