Almost 500 mourners laughed and cried as they gathered to remember a man renowned for making others smile.

Barham Crematorium was packed as friends and family said a final farewell to dad-of-three Anthony "Miffer" Smith, who died aged just 51.

The roofer, who lived on the London Road estate, had no savings when he lost a short battle with cancer in December.

His family were overwhelmed when an appeal set up to pay for his funeral and wake raised £10,000.

Now his daughters, Joelle, 27, Bess, 22, and Hollie, 17, are planning to divide the £3,000 surplus between Pilgrims Hospices, Macmillan and Cancer Research.

Best friend Mike Craddock, who gave a eulogy, said: “It was pouring with rain but I have never seen so many people at a funeral. It shows how popular he was.”

Many wore Tottenham Hotspur shirts in homage to the football fan’s beloved team and his youngest daughter, Hollie, made a special floral wreath in the team's colours.

The club’s theme, Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur, was played at the end of the moving service.

Mr Craddock said: “It was obviously an emotional day, especially for his daughters and partner Liz, who cared for him in his dying days. But, although very sad, it was never going to be a dour occasion simply because of Miffer’s terrific personality, which made everyone who came into contact with him feel better.

“So, as well as a few tears, there was also laughter, which is exactly what he would have wanted because Miffer was the funniest of guys who was always very animated when he told a story.

“It was even said that it wasn’t the illness which killed him, but the shock of his beloved local pub, the Gentil Knyght, closing, which got a lot of laughs.

“I pointed out that Miffer used to be a Chelsea fan when he was a teenager but went to see Spurs play and when he renamed his pet ferret Ardiles, after Ossie Ardiles, we knew we had lost him.

“It was a happy event more than a sad one and no less than he deserved. It was a comfort to his girls to see so many people and know how much he was liked.”