MOURNERS gathered in large numbers to pay their last respects to one of Medway's political and sporting stalwarts.

The chapel at Medway Crematorium was packed for the funeral yesterday of former Rochester Mayor Stuart Fry, universally known as Ticker.

Mr Fry, who died three days before Christmas at Medway Maritime Hospital, was a key figure in sport and local government for 50 years. He was famous for being an Olympic torchbearer in 1948 after narrowly missing out on selection for the Olympic team itself.

The Rev Roger Dyer, who gave the service, said: "I'm not sure if I ever met Mr Fry, but I met his reputation again and again. He was Medway born and bred - you couldn't get more Medway than him."

Mr Fry became Mayor of Rochester in 1965 and continued to serve until 1991. Cllr John Shaw, who served alongside Ticker for many years, said: "He was a larger than life character. When he walked into a room people knew about it."

Mr Fry moved into Shaws Wood after his wife, Nora, died five years ago.