The funeral of one of Staffordshire's best-loved and longest-serving radio presenters, Sam Plank, took place yesterday. Reporter Emma King attended the service

LEGENDARY DJ Sam Plank had the last word at his own funeral.

The former Radio Stoke presenter's voice brought the service at Burslem's Swan Bank Methodist Church to a close with a recording he made when Potteries-based digital station Focal Radio ended.

Hundreds of mourners who packed into the church heard Sam, who lost his fight with cancer on February 10, say: "I just want to say thank you for listening. Goodbye."

Dozens lined the streets to see Sam's funeral cortege travel from his home in Bucknall to the church, stopping at the Stanley Matthews statue in Hanley on the way.

Sam's coffin, which was draped in a Union Jack flag, was carried into the church by North Staffordshire Regiment veterans, to the sound of (I've Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

Mourners were asked to wear "a splash of red" because Sam was renowned for wearing red clothes.

Reverend Ashley Cooper, who conducted the service wearing a pair of red Converse trainers, told the congregation: "Sam didn't want today to be dreary. He planned everything himself, so if you don't like it, blame Sam."

Sam's daughter Sophie read out some words she had said to her father before he died.

She said: "As a dad, I could not have asked for a better father figure. Despite the illness, you still managed to be there.

"The times we went running round the house with our laser guns and you would never be caught until we found out that you were running through doors and cheating but you said you always lived to win.

"It was a true honour to have you as my dad. You are fabulous and forever will be."

Rev Cooper said: "Sam and his son Mark shared a love of drumming and one of Sam's last wishes was for Mark to play With Or Without You by U2.

"With the help of Orchard Studios and Bomark Studios, Mark produced a video, which was watched by Sam the night before he passed away."

The congregation watched the video on big screens inside the church.

Friends and listeners had sent the family photographs of Sam which were also shown on the big screen to the track of Pilot Of The Airwaves by Charlie Dore.

Rev Cooper said: "Sam was certainly Stoke-on-Trent's pilot of the airwaves.

"He was a Middleport and Burslem lad through and through.

"Sam had a love of soldiers – both small ones and the real thing. He was an honorary Stafford and he loved the Staffordshire Regimental Association.

"But entertainment was Sam's life. From the age of 15 he was a drummer in bands such as the James Stone Pattern and later forming the duo Sparky with fellow musician Norman Tempest.

"Sam became one of the first shock jocks at the Vale club, where he and Norman were the resident DJs.

"I'm sure there were many who shared their first kiss in Sam Plank's disco.

"During his time at Radio Stoke, Sam was given the freedom of the city of Stoke-on-Trent.

"He was also named Chat magazine's favourite radio presenter thanks to the enormous amount of listeners who tuned into his mid-morning show on Radio Stoke.

"For many years, Sam was the voice of the media in Stoke."

His wife Verity paid tribute to Sam, saying: "I am so proud of the way Sam has had the courage to battle this illness, never moaning or complaining or asking 'why me?'.

"Sam was passionate about the area he lived in and the people in it, giving them every opportunity to be positive and giving them the ability to make things happen.

"As well as family, close friends and colleagues, he has been in deep conversation with MPs, business people and football chairman who have all had to sit on his throne or commode by his bed"."

Rev Cooper added: "Sam was a man full of passion. His life made a difference to many people and he has left a legacy for this city."