CIVIC leaders from across Ipswich turned out to pay their last respects to former mayor Ian Grimwood at his funeral service at St Margaret's Church in the town.

CIVIC leaders from across Ipswich turned out to pay their last respects to former mayor Ian Grimwood at his funeral service at St Margaret's Church in the town.

Mr Grimwood died suddenly last week at the age of 63 and was remembered by former colleagues at the service.

He was first elected as a Labour councillor in 1972 and served for four years on the old county borough and then county council.

He was then elected as a borough councillor for the Sprites division in 1986 and held the seat for 20 years before losing to the Tories in 2006. He was mayor of Ipswich in 1995.

The address at the service was given by former borough council leader and current Priory Heath councillor Bill Knowles.

Mr Grimwood was a registrar of births and marriages and had a keen interest in local history.

He was also a keen writer who had written biographies and contributed to a history of the Labour movement in East Anglia.

Mr Knowles made reference to Mr Grimwood's encyclopaedic knowledge about Ipswich in his funeral address.

Labour agent John Cook said: “The church was pretty full, several of the people there said they don't recall having seen more people there for many years.

“Bill's address told us things about Ian we didn't already know. He spoke very well - it was a very good send-off for someone who loved the town.”

Civic mourners were led by current mayor David Hale who attended the service with his consort Betty Basket.

Also present were current borough council leader Liz Harsant, her husband Russell and many current and former members of the Labour group at the borough council.