MORE than 1,000 mourners today attended the funeral of city rugby star St John Ellis at York Minster.

It was standing room only at the service as family, friends and former team mates said a tearful farewell to the 41-year-old, who grew up in Fulford and later played rugby league for Great Britain.

The ceremony was held in The Choir, which seated about 400 mourners, while hundreds more stood in the central nave area and listened to the service through the loud speaker system.

A host of famous rugby league stars attended, including former Great Britain legends Garry Schofield, Paul Anderson and Darryl Powell, and current international winger Leon Pryce. York Knights were also well represented, as were St John's former clubs, including Halifax, Castleford, and Doncaster, where he was head coach up to his death last week.

St John's life was tragically cut short when he collapsed and died on New Year's Eve, after leading a training session. His family said later they had been told it was due to a heart attack.

For the fully story and pictures see tomorrow's Evening Press.

Updated: 16:29 Tuesday, January 10, 2006