MORE than 400 people attended the funeral of an "outstanding" Sussex policeman.

Chief Constable Joe Edwards joined a guard of honour for Detective Sergeant Phil Banton who died of cancer last week at the age of 47.

Family and friends paid tribute to a "truly lovely man" at Woodvale Crematorium in Brighton yesterday.

One of Det Sgt Banton's last jobs was acting as a liaison officer to Joanne Lees, the Brighton girlfriend of Peter Falconio, who was murdered in the Australian outback.

She was kidnapped but escaped by hiding in the bush.

Detective Superintendent Martin Cheesman read a statement from Ms Lees.

It said: "I was at a pretty low point when Phil came into my life .... I was immediately sceptical and wondered what kind of support he could possibly provide me.

"I'd become reclusive, untrusting and frightened.

"Quite simply, Phil restored my faith in the police service and the justice system.

"Phil became my mentor, my rock of support. He made me feel good about myself again. That is a gift I will always cherish."

Ms Lees told how she heard about Det Sgt Banton's cancer in a call from his wife Nicki in Darwin on the morning in December last year when Bradley John Murdoch was found guilty of Peter Falconio's murder.

Ms Lees said: "Late last week, I received the news Phil had passed away. I haven't been able to stop crying since.

"Phil was the person I wanted most to be proud of me. I am so proud of him."

Mr Cheesman said Det Sgt Banton had became a leader in investigating child abuse cases, always showing fairness and modesty.

He said: "He even received letters of thanks from suspects' parents for his unbiased treatment and kindness."

Det Sgt Roger Fry, one of 200 officers and staff at the funeral, read a poem he had written about "my best pal".

Det Sgt Banton's brother Ralph and sister-in-law Donna wrote of his "loving nature, kind and true".

Terri Shanks, who led the service, said Det Sgt Banton spent his working life "serving his country and his community to obtain justice for other people."

She said he joined the Army at 17 and served in Germany, Northern Ireland and the UK.

He joined Sussex Police in 1985 and served in Hove and Gatwick.

For the past eight years he lived and worked in Brighton, "probably the happiest years of his life."

Sussex Police paid tribute to a "dedicated and tenacious detective who worked on some of the worst cases within the child protection unit.

"His legacy remains not just among his colleagues but his caring sensitivity will also be remembered by those people he helped throughout his police career, including within his role as a family liaison officer."

Det Sgt Banton leaves a widow, Nicki, their daughter Georgie, and his children Karl, Jemma, and Jake, brothers David and Ralph, sisters Pamela and Wendy and his mother Cynthia.