The father of GP Robert Grayson has paid tribute to the ‘inspirational’ turnout at his funeral.

Hundreds of mourners attended St Bartholomew’s Church in Great Harwood on Thursday after the popular doctor passed away a week earlier at the age of 45 after suffering an aneurysm.

Rishton councillor Harry Grayson said his son will be ‘missed by many and was adored by thousands’.

He said: “It was a very difficult day, but saying that our families were overwhelmed with the turnout of people from both the Rishton and Great Harwood communities as well as patients and many, many other people.

“Obviously with it being a very sudden death people were shocked.

“It wasn’t just the community there, it was also doctors and colleagues from Robert’s previous engagements in the NHS and many of them turned up to give their condolences and support. We were inspired by the turnout and he we will be very, very sadly missed.”

Dr Grayson’s funeral service was followed by a private cremation in Accrington.

Harry said: “It was very touching because the cortege went from Chatburn to the church and after that onto the crematorium but we actually stopped outside the Great Harwood Health Centre and also the surgery in Rishton.

“One very, very touching tribute was on the sign outside the Rishton practice someone had put a rose next to his name.”

Dr Grayson helped run the Great Harwood Medical Group, based at the new health centre, and the High Street surgery in Rishton, serving more than 8,000 people.

Born and educated in Rishton, he leaves wife Kirsty, son Dominic, 12, daughter Georgina, 14, stepson Dermot, 13 and stepdaughter Kiera, 11.

Donations in his memory are requested to The British Heart Foundation c/o Sarah Lord, practice manager at the Great Harwood Medical Group on Water Street.