HUNDREDS of people from across the region paid an emotional tribute at the funeral of a highly respected priest.

The Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle, Seamus Cunningham, and 40 priests were among the hundreds of mourners who paid their respects to much-loved Darlington clergyman Seamus Doyle last week.

St Augustine’s parish priest Father Doyle, originally from Ireland, died peacefully in a hospice on Saturday, February 18 following a short battle with cancer.

There was standing room only at St Augustine’s Church as a requiem mass was held in his honour, prior to interment at St Mary’s Church in Blackhill, Fr Doyle’s former parish.

He was ordained to the priesthood in Ireland in 1967 and served church-goers in the North-East from that year until his death.

The popular priest acted as curate and parish priest in several areas across the region and had been based at St Augustine’s since July 2010, where he was a keen supporter of the town-wide Churches Together initiative.

Parishioner and Darlington councillor Cyndi Hughes described him as “one of the kindest, gentlest priests in the diocese”, adding: “Seamus’ death came as a shock to all of us as his illness progressed incredibly quickly.

“He will certainly be missed by the people of our parish and many others.”

The chair of St Augustine’s Parish Council, Jim Cunningham, also paid tribute to his close friend.

He said: “Father Seamus was an honest, humble and lovely person and it is so incredibly sad that someone has passed away who touched the lives of so many people.

“He could talk to anyone and he remembered every individual he came across.

“It is wonderful to see how many people of all different backgrounds have come out to say how much he meant to them.

“It is not often you get to meet a man who has such an inspirational impact on life.

“He enjoyed life and he always did the right thing to support the poor and to look after the vulnerable.”

Mr Cunningham added: “His illness came as a shock – he was diagnosed with cancer early in the year and did not recover.

“He knew where he was going and there was no fear there.

“Seamus kept his faith and he kept his sense of humour and until his last, he was asking about other people.

“He was a man of true courage.”

A number of Fr Doyle's family members were also among those to attend last week's services, having travelled from Ireland to pay their respects to the beloved priest.