'Dad will be with me in spirit': Olympic diver and 2012 hopeful Tom Daley pays tribute at his father's funeral

Brave Tom Daley led mourners at the funeral of his beloved father Rob today saying he would be with him in spirit when he competes in next year's London Olympics.

Robert Daley died at the age of 40 after losing a five-year battle with a brain tumour. He was cremated following a service at St Mary's Church in Plympton, Devon.

Remaining composed, Tom, 17, stood up to make his own eulogy telling friends and family he believed his father will be with him in 2012, waving a huge Union Jack from the balcony, when he competes.

Rob had been a constant mainstay throughout Tom's diving career and rarely missed a chance to watch his son compete. Even a few weeks before his death he was still hoping new treatments would allow him to fulfil his dream of watching Tom win gold in 2012.

The diver has shared his grief with coach Andy Banks, who paid an emotional tribute to Rob and the part he played in his son's success.

He said: 'Rob was right there from the beginning when Tom was seven and looked one way at the diving pool and another at the water and went for the diving pool. Rob and Tom had an extraordinary bond. There is one photograph which sums up Rob and his boys where he is lying on the couch at home with all three bundling on top of him. He did that right to the end.

The bond was extremely strong. They were great mates as well as father and son. Anyone who loses a father at the age of 40 when they are still a teenager will have a very difficult time.'

Tom, his mother Debbie and younger brothers, William, 14, and Ben, 12, followed the coffin as it was carried into the church for the funeral.