Thousands of people lined the streets of football great Jack Charlton's hometown to pay their respects ahead of his funeral.

Born in Ashington, in Northumberland, the former Republic of Ireland boss Charlton, who won the World Cup playing for England, he often returned to the former mining town.

With well-wishers applauding and cheering as the cortege passed through the streets where he and his younger brother Sir Bobby honed their football skills, many were waving flags and banners. Floral tributes in the hearse included a football and a red England shirt with "Jackie 5" on it, as well as floral tributes in the colours of the Republic of Ireland and Leeds United.

As the procession slowed, as it passed close to the terraced house where the Charltons once lived and played, his family said they had been "overwhelmed" by the support shown and added "he would have been thrilled by the outpouring of kindness". They also said Sir Bobby had not been well enough to be there.

The cortege then made its way to a private service at a crematorium in Newcastle, where just a small number of relatives attended due to coronavirus restrictions.

In more than 20 seasons at Leeds United, he made 773 appearances and won the 1969 league title and the 1972 FA Cup. He then managed Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and his home-town club Newcastle before later finding success managing the Republic of Ireland.

The former defender had been diagnosed with lymphoma in recent years and was suffering from dementia.
The funeral procession left the Charlton family home in Dalton, Northumberland, and was met by a police escort in Ashington before going along Newbiggin Road into the town centre.
It stopped outside Hirst Welfare Centre, where Big Jack – as he was so affectionately known as - and Sir Bobby played football as children, before travelling to the crematorium.