HUNDREDS attended the funeral of popular Weymouth musician Tom Caulfield which brought the house down.

Tom's last performance - held at Weymouth Pavilion theatre so everyone could be accommodated - was one filled with tears, laughter, precious memories, and most of all, music.

Tom's coffin was brought on stage to the sounds of The Weight by The Band and was carried off an hour later as Steve Earle sang Galway Girl and the audience burst into applause.

In between there were readings, and musical tributes from Jack Daniels who accompanied by Ben Wain on violin, sang Who Knows Where The Time Goes by Fairport Convention. Jess Upton, Steve Wilson and Robbie McIntosh performed Bob Dylan's The Ballad of the Gliding Swan and then Roye Membury, Kipper Roberts and Ben Wain performed This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie.

It was a fitting tribute to a man who was known for, and loved, his music.

Touching tributes from Tom's family, including his wife Rachel, were read out by non denominational celebrant Michelle Carpenter who conducted the service.

Tom, 32, who was well known on the Dorset music scene and further afield as a talented singer and guitarist, died suddenly on Easter Sunday.

Affectionately known as Ginger Tom, he was described by his family as a 'hugely talented, popular and loving man'.

As well as playing solo, Tom was in a number of bands including folk duo The Victorian Barbers.

A celebration of his life held at the Pavilion yesterday was attended by hundreds who filled the theatre.

Afterwards, they followed the funeral cortege along the quayside and packed out the Rendezvous for a wake which saw glasses raised and a number of musicians get up on stage to pay tribute in song.