ABOUT 400 people attended the funeral of a former Gwent Police detective sergeant who died in a boating accident.

Family members, friends, former colleagues and Crystal Lodge Mason members filled St Paul's Church, Commercial Street, yesterday to pay their last respects to Doug Baker, who they described as a "true gentleman and a lovely, lovely boy".

Mr Baker, 76, who lived at a farmhouse between Barrack Hill and Allt-yr-yn Way died on Tuesday, April 5, when the boat he was travelling in overturned.

Mr Baker and his brother-in-law, Ivyn James, 77, were heading to a yacht moored in Cardiff Bay when the dinghy capsized just after 1pm. They spent half-an-hour clinging to a buoy before being rescued by a yachtsman.

Mr James recovered but Mr Baker later died in hospital. The vicar of St Peter's, the Rev Sheila Toms led the service with the Rev Iain Doull, of Christchurch.

Members of the Crystal Lodger of Free Masons, of which Mr Baker was a member, were the bearers.

His son, Howard, spoke at the service and told mourners how his father was a family man.

He said: "Dad was always there for us. "He was one of those rare people who was not afraid to show sensitivity and compassion to others.

"He loved nothing better than a hearty meal with his family washed down with red wine. He was a great husband, father and friend, he was the best and will be greatly missed by us all."

People laughed at stories told by fellow Mason members and Herbie Jones, of Newport and District Rugby Union talked about the 'old rugby days'.

He said: "He had a great skill and was a great organiser. Doug was like the elder brother I never had."

Mr Baker served with Newport Borough Police and later Gwent Police from 1951 to 1978 in Pill, Maindee and at headquarters. As chief fundraiser for the reconstruction appeal at All Saints Church in Brynglas, Newport, Mr Baker helped raise more than £320,000.

He and his wife, Valerie, 70, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last October.

He leaves a daughter, Daphne Munson, 46, son Howard Baker, 42, four grandchildren, William, 17, Clare, 15, Elizabeth, 13 and Lucy, 10.