Snooker legends' farewell to ex-champion Griffiths

Terry Griffiths won the World Championship in 1979, the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982

Snooker legends Dennis Taylor, Stephen Hendry and Mark Williams were among more than 200 mourners at the funeral of former world champion Terry Griffiths.

The Welshman, who grew up in Pontarddulais, Swansea, died aged 77 after what his family said was "a long battle with dementia".

A former postman and bus conductor, Griffiths turned professional in 1978 and became world champion at the first attempt, beating Taylor in 1979.

Griffiths' son, Wayne, shared personal stories and fond memories of his "modest and humble" father during the funeral service at Llanelli Crematorium, in Carmarthenshire.

His funeral was held on Monday after he died aged 77

"Dad indeed was a great player, good coach and a good man," he said.

"He was also a great family man, a proud father and a loving husband too."

Griffiths also won the Masters in 1980 and the UK Championship in 1982.

After retiring, Griffiths became a successful coach and much-loved television pundit and commentator.

His funeral cortege passed by the Terry Griffiths Matchroom, a snooker and pool club in Llanelli.

Dennis Taylor was pleased there was a "great turnout" at the funeral

Fellow snooker legend, Northern Ireland's Dennis Taylor, said he was pleased there was a "great turnout" for a player who had a "wicked" sense of humour.

When he visited Northern Ireland, Taylor said people "took him to their hearts".

Among the congregation he said he had seen players including Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Tony Chappell, Wayne Jones and Jackson Page.

Taylor said: "Not only was he a great, great player, he's one of the best coaches the game's ever seen.

Fellow professionals Mark Williams (left) and Stephen Hendry were among mourners

"Of course, that's a great tribute to some of the modern day players, they owe a lot to Terry.

"Sadly, if he hadn't have got ill I think he'd have just kept on working, because everybody wanted to work with 'the Griff'."

He recalled holidaying with Griffiths' and Doug Mountjoy's families.

"We used to have wonderful times at Pontins and we had a great holiday in America together, all the three families," he said.

Mourners gathered to say their last farewells to Griffiths at Llanelli Crematorium

One of Griffiths' friends, Adam Rees, 60, said outside Matchroom: "He put us on the map,"

"Snooker wasn't anything in Llanelli until him."

Another friend, Andrew Morgan, 53, called him a "gentlemen".

Griffiths' friends Andrew Morgan (left) and Adam Rees outside the Terry Griffiths Matchroom in Llanelli

"He was such a character, full of banter and one liners," he added.

Wayne Lock, 60, from Llanelli said he was a "treasure to the town".

"He always stood by the town through thick and thin," he said.

"He set up the Matchroom, teaching youngsters for years and years. We're very proud of him."