More than 400 people attended the funeral service for fitness instructor Ian Sage at Vinters Park Crematorium this afternoon.

With all seats and standing room taken, several dozen mourners had to stand outside in the chilly autumn air to hear the service relayed by speaker.

Although many were in tears, there were also moments of laughter as some of Mr Sage's notorious antics were recalled.

Mr Sage co-owned the Bob Prowse Health Club in Maidstone's Armstrong Road.

His business partner Paul Slythe recalled that one night the pair were drinking "Bob" cocktails (named after the club's original owner) in Mu Mu's in Week Street.

Mr Slythe went to the bar for another round and returned to find Mr Sage parading naked before a hen party.

Later the same night, worried about whether Mr Sage would get home safely, Mr Slythe followed him home to find him sitting in a full bath tub, still wearing his suit.

There were more chuckles as it was recalled how Mr Sage, a vegan, repeatedly tried to convert his family to the delights of beetroot burgers.

Mourners were treated to an eclectic mix of music, from Dancing in the Sky by Danni and Lizzy and One More Light by Linkin Park, to Paradise City by Guns and Roses and Sandman by Metallica.

Mr Sage was born in Maidstone and educated at All Saints and Oldborough Manor Schools.

At 14, he was a skinny kid and decided he wanted to build up his muscles, but he didn't have enough money for the gym.

Bob Prowse allowed him to train in return for cleaning out the toilets.

After that, although Mr Sage worked initially as a glazier, the gym became "his passion and his life."

During the ceremony several tribute poems were read written by members of Mr Sage's extensive family - he had seven brothers and sisters - and the celebrant, Rosie Hedley also read a poem, "Yesterday, Today an Tomorrow."

On the way to the crematorium, the hearse and funeral cortege of nine limousines stopped briefly outside the Bob Prowse Club, where the railings had been lined with floral tributes, and several dozen supporters had gathered to pay their respects.

Mr Sage, 46, was found dead at the club on November 1.

An inquest has been opened and adjourned until February 4.