Funeral for campaigning Norfolk priest

Canon Hereward Cooke died in his sleep after cycling to Copenhagen

The funeral for a 70-year-old retired priest and green campaigner who died after cycling to the world climate change summit has been held.

Canon Hereward Cooke, Norwich diocese environmental officer, died in his sleep on 15 December in Copenhagen.

About 500 people attended his funeral at St Nicholas' Church, Blakeney, where his life and work were praised.

A separate service was held at St Peter Mancroft church in Norwich for those unable to travel to Blakeney.

Popular figure

The Venerable Jan McFarlane, director of communications for the Diocese of Norwich, said the two services on Wednesday were a "celebration of his life".

Canon Cooke arrived in Norwich in 1989 and quickly became a popular figure.

He was later elected to Norwich City Council as a Liberal Democrat and spoke on many social and environment issues.

He later became Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral, assistant priest of St Peter Mancroft Church, priest-in-charge of St Stephen's and leader of his party on the city council.

On the carbon-cutting cycle ride to Copenhagen, Canon Cooke hoped to raise thousands of pounds for Christian Aid's climate change campaign.