Keith Frogson was described as a "loveable rogue"

Hundreds of National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) members have marched through the pit village of Annesley Woodhouse, in memory of Keith Frogson.

Mr Frogson, 62, died after an alleged attack outside his home in Bentinck Street in the village last month.

Robert Boyer, 42, has been charged with Mr Frogson's murder.

Mr Boyer has also been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and will appear at Nottingham Crown Court in November.

Horse-drawn carriage

Tributes were laid in the spot where Mr Frogson was killed, including flowers that spelt out his nickname Froggy.

Mourners included Mr Frogson's daughters Rachel, left, and Mandy

Four black horses pulled a carriage containing the coffin, which was draped in a union banner.

About 400 former miners waited in Annesley to join the funeral procession.

Leading the march was a red and yellow banner emblazoned with "Annesley strikers".

Mr Frogson, a father-of-three, was an active member of the NUM, who went on strike 20 years ago.

Joining his family in the funeral cortege, were his colleagues from the Justice for Mineworkers Campaign, which he joined after losing his job in the year-long strike in 1984-5.

'Bubbly character'

Notts NUM general secretary Keith Stanley paid tribute to Mr Frogson during the funeral service at St John the Evangelist church in the village.

"The loveable rogue is perhaps the only way he could be described.

The union and I have lost a great comrade and a great friend Arthur Scargill

"When the tragic news came of his death we were inundated with calls from all over the country.

"They all remember him as a bubbly character; the man with the wicked sense of humour but nevertheless dedicated to the cause.

"On behalf of the National Union of Mineworkers I would like to pay tribute to Keith and offer his family the deepest of sympathy."

Mr Frogson's daughter Rachel, 32, spoke on behalf of her brother Wayne, 34, and sister Mandy, 36.

"Dad, from the moment we were born we knew that you were so special. You lived life to the full," she said.

"You taught us to be honest, grateful and always to respect others.

"You told us to believe in our principles. You told us to be strong."

Mr Scargill, who met Mr Frogson on a number of occasions, paid tribute to him outside the service.

"The union and I have lost a great comrade and a great friend.