LEADING political figures past and present were among those who attended the funeral of former Prime Minister and long-standing Bexley MP, Sir Edward Heath.

Sir Edward was born and brought up in Thanet and went to school in Ramsgate.

The ex-Tory leader's successor, Margaret Thatcher, and Bexley council leader Cllr Chris Ball were among the 1,600 people who attended the funeral at Salisbury Cathedral.

Pallbearers wheeled the coffin from Sir Edward’s home in nearby Cathedral Close in Salisbury to enter the cathedral to the sound of The Last Post. Afterwards the coffin, draped with a union flag and covered in white lilies, was taken to the crematorium for a private service.

In his address, the Bishop of Salisbury, the Rt Rev David Stancliffe, paid tribute to Sir Edward’s convictions over Europe, and his love for sailing, music, and debate.

He said: “Ted built bridges between countries and nations, between artists and ordinary people, between east and west, between young and old.”

Sir Edward was elected to represent Bexley in 1950 and remained as the constituency MP until 2001. He was Prime Minister from 1970 to 1974 and is best remembered for taking Britain into the EEC, and for his feud with Baroness Thatcher. He was granted the rare distinction in 1971 of being made a Freeman of the Borough of Bexley.

He died of pneumonia at his home on July 17, aged 89.

As a mark of respect, Bexley councillors and officers held a minute’s silence at last week’s cabinet meeting, when both Cllr Ball and the leader of the opposition expressed their sadness.

Cllr Chris Ball said: “Sir Edward was a distinguished statesman who served his country and his constituency well. He showed me great personal courtesy and was a pleasure to know. The country will miss his experience and commitment.”

Cllr Ian Clement (Con) added: “It is very sad that a man of Sir Edward’s calibre and stature who served the people of Bexley for over 50 years has passed away. It is definitely the end of an era.”