THE landlord of an historic pub has been remembered for his love of life and head for business, as well as the compassion and care he showed for others.

The life of Neil Crisp, landlord at Burslem's Leopard, who died earlier this month, was celebrated during a service at Bradwell Crematorium yesterday.

Mourners arrived to Mama Cass's Dream A Little Dream Of Me.

About 200 people filled each of the pews, while a further two dozen stood to the rear of the room.

Civil funeral celebrant Evie Jesson said: "It shows the love, affection and regard in which Neil was held."

Rabindranath Tagore's poem Farewell My Friends was read before Mr Crisp's sister, Shelley Mayer, told mourners: "Neil had an amazing energy and zest for life as well as the ability to make things good. He was kind and generous and I will miss him with all of my heart."

Ms Jesson told the congregation that Mr Crisp was born in Leighton Buzzard, near Milton Keynes, in May 1966 and spent the early years of his life moving around as his father was in the Royal Air Force.

The "bright, capable and cheeky" schoolboy grew into a lover of travel and fine food, she added.

And Mr Crisp, a strong speaker of Italian, spent several years living in Milan as his family moved to Burslem to run the Bowler Hat.

He made a full recovery after being diagnosed with cancer while in Italy before returning to England in his mid-20s. And it was while living in Falmouth that Mr Crisp, a keen cook since his teenage years, opened his first restaurant.

Mr Crisp's partner Neil Cox, who he ran The Leopard with, thanked him for "the best years of his life", she added.

And Joyce Grenfell's poem Life Goes On, chosen by Mr Cox, as well as Mr Crisp's father Michael and stepmother Sharon, was read to the congregation.

Paul Long, from London, described how he had met Mr Crisp in 1989 and how the pair had remained friends ever since.

He outlined the licensee's energy in both business and helping other people.

Even while establishing his previous London business, Mr Crisp volunteered at a centre which provided meals to Aids patients.

And Mr Long said his friend was also astute at persuading estate agents to hand over keys to empty shops so that charity stores could be set up to raise money for worthy causes.

But he also described Mr Crisp's love of life, including "fact finding" trips to The Ritz's Martini lounge during discussions over a proposed business venture to import Russian vodka.

And Mr Long added: "I spoke to him just before Christmas and he told me that now he was settled in Staffordshire he was at his most contented."

A Celtic blessing was read, as was a quote by Viktor Frankl: "We cannot judge a biography by its length, by the number of pages in it; we must judge by the richness of the contents." Mr Crisp was committed to the sound of Charlene's I've Never Been To Me.

And Nancy' Sinatra's These Boots Were Made For Walkin' was played as mourners left the church to go to The Leopard for the deceased's wake. Donations were received for Cancer Research UK.