Over 500 people packed into West Bromwich Town Hall, which was resplendently decked out in WBA colours, to celebrate the life of former leader of Sandwell Council Councillor Darren Cooper.

Friends, family, politicians of all persuasion, colleagues from his time as a mental health nurse, representatives of the emergency services and a plethora of organisations as well as members of the public attended.

The strains of WBA anthem The Liquidator started the event off with the congregation, many in Albion colours, clapping wildly as journalist Adrian Goldberg started proceedings.

He said: "Darren was always willing to speak, always willing to debate but he always stuck up for the people of his ward and Sandwell.

"I was proud to call him a friend."

Mayor of Sandwell Barbara Price was the first of over a dozen speakers to pay an emotional tribute to Cllr Cooper who died suddenly over the Easter Weekend aged 52.

She said: "The void he left is immeasurable, his legacy is the gift of having known him, we all have his legacy, remember his smile, his putting people at ease and his dedication to the people of Smethwick and Sandwell, his people."

Tory leader of Walsall Council leader Cllr Mike Bird brought some controversy to proceedings by having a dig at Labour politicians in the audience.

He said: "Darren told me the week before he died how upset he was that his colleagues had knifed him in the back concerning his quest to become Metropolitan Mayor for the West Midlands.

"We would have supported him, no matter who the Conservative candidate was."

He added to rapturous applause: "He was not just a good man, he was straight oh of Marvel Comics - he was a super man."

Former Labour leader Ed Miliband MP spoke warmly about "his friend" Cllr Cooper but did not stay until the end of the two hour service.

He said: "Darren was a friend before I was leader, whilst I was a leader and when I stood down as leader, that was the measure of the man, he was no fair-weather friend.

"I will never forget him, his achievements and his deep decency."

Charity champion and Freeman of Sandwell Blind Dave Heeley pitched his speech perfectly telling tales of looking for ghosts in the Big House.

He said: "I will never forget you Darren, I like a lot of people but there are very few I admire and hold in high esteem and you were one of the ones."

The charity champion, who once ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, promised to cycle the six towns of Sandwell in his friend's honour.

Acting Sandwell Council leader Steve Eling spoke at length about his predecessor's legacy.

He said: "Darren was a great team leader, he built teams, he inspired people with his vision.

"I knew him for decades, and he achieved great things in all his roles over the years.

"He took decisions that were not popular at the time but stuck his neck out and was often proven right and people will benefit for that for years to come."

He added: "Look around Sandwell and there are also physical legacies of Darren, buildings that he inspired will be here for years to come."

"But you cannot beat his legacy with what he did with young people in Sandwell, he made the Sandwell Guarantee and we will continue with that."

After a rousing rendition of Frank Sinatra's standard I Did It My Way by Phil Challoner Cllr Cooper's family took to the stage.

His son Matt said: "It was a terrible shock for us to lose dad, so suddenly, it is going to take a long time to move on from this.

"Dad was an ordinary guy who wanted to make a difference, if everyone here does one thing to help someone else, no matter how small then his memory will carry on."

The Darren Cooper Apprenticeship Foundation was also launched by his family which will help younger people in Sandwell who want to get into work or education.