Thousands of people have paid tribute to a Leicester firefighter who died when he fell through the floor of a burning factory.

Crowds of local people and firefighters lined the streets for the funeral procession of Bob Miller, who died on 31 October at the scene of the fire in Morledge Street.

The funeral service, which started shortly after 1030 GMT, took place at Leicester Cathedral.

Mr Miller, 44, a father of two, died after falling through a floor while searching the disused hosiery factory.

Mr Miller was among the first firefighters in the building

The service began with prayers and an introduction by the Dean of Leicester, the very Rev Vivienne Faull.

This was followed by a tribute read by Chief Fire Officer David Webb, who was with Mr Miller at the scene of the blaze.

He spoke of Mr Miller's bravery and how he received a commendation for his part in the rescue of three people trapped in a burning building.

"Rob, or Bob as he was known within the service, was a big man, not just physically but also as a person.

"He lost his life doing a job he loved, and working with people he respected, and who respected him.

Union flag

"He was held in high esteem by all of his colleagues and he will be remembered by many of them as a person they most wanted to be paired with at an incident, and he lost his life fully convinced that he was trying to save the lives of others."

Mr Miller was the first firefighter to die on duty in Leicestershire in 25 years.

His coffin, draped in a Union flag, was mounted on a turntable ladder vehicle for the journey from his home station, Eastern Station.

Mr Miller's medals and helmet were placed on top of his coffin, which was carried into the cathedral by "white watch" colleagues.

Pay dispute talks between the Fire Brigade Union and employers were suspended during the service.