HUNDREDS of mourners turned out to pay their respects to a renowned musician and folk festival organiser.

Relatives, friends, and fellow musicians packed St Cuthbert's Church, in Darlington, to pay tribute to Tom Hughes, who died on September 21, aged 65.

The singer-songwriter was a mental health worker who had organised Darlington Folk Club and the town's popular real ale and folk Spring Thing festival for nearly 20 years.

Through the club, he helped to launch the career of internationally-renowned French folk artist Flossie Malavialle, and was a well-respected musician in his own right, playingmost recently in band The Family Hughes.

Mr Hughes' son, Tom jnr, delivered an emotional and affectionate eulogy which received a round of applause.

He told mourners: "Everyone I talk to has great things to say aboutmy father. He will be greatly missed by all."

Tom's daughter, Emma, read the lyrics from one of Mr Hughes' songs, Broken Dolls, which he wrote as part of a project working with young offenders and people with mental health problems.

The Reverend Robert Williamson told mourners: "There was a lot of love in his heart, deep, compassionate feelings."

Mr Hughes was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, in 1946. He was a twin and one of six brothers. He grew up in Fallowfield, Manchester, leaving school at 15 to become an apprentice painter and decorator.

At 18, he married his first wife, Christie, and the couple had six children - Emma, Tom, Dave, Paul, Ste and Jo.

In 1982, daughter Jo died.

The family moved to Staindrop in 1989, when Mr Hughes got a job in Darlington. In June, 1992, Mr Hughes and his wife divorced. He met his second wife, Jenny, in 1993. They married three years later.

After being made redundant, Mr Hughes completed a computer technology diploma. He later became a fulltime mental health professional.

Mr Hughes died in hospital, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in July. The day after his death, the club made their singaround a tribute to him.

He was buried at Darlington Cematorium and a wake with signing and music was held for him at Darlington Arts Centre.

The Northern Echo attended the funeral with the permission ofMr Hughes' family.