Over 400 mourners turned out to say one final goodbye to a talented man who had given so much to judo and was an integral component of competitions at home and abroad for many years.

Simon's father Jerry Hicks, his son Danny and two of his most successful athletes, Winston Gordon and Eric Bonti, made emotive speeches during the service, while his sister Kim read a poem she had adapted specially for her brother.

Mourners came from as far afield as the United States to attend the service. And in true eccentric style - which no doubt would have pleased Simon - the funeral procession held up traffic on Bristol's busy Park Street for several minutes as it made it's way from the family home to the Cathedral. A reception was then held at the Mandrake club where an emotional film of Simon's life was showed to guests, in which there was also a personal message from Simon to some of his nearest and dearest.

The bar was decorated with paintings of Simon, by Jerry and Anne Hicks, while there were also messages form a variety of people, including the great Yasuhiro Yamashita and IJF President Y.S Park, posted around the walls for all to read.

It was a day that paid appropriate homage to a man who could not be ignored.

Photos courtesy of Robin Willingham