HUNDREDS of people packed a Hampshire church to pay tribute to a popular milkman killed while on his delivery round.

The thanksgiving service for Allan Knight, 53, was attended by more than 300 people, with many more standing around the door or in the churchyard at St Peter's in Ropley, near Alresford.

The service had followed a private family cremation yesterday.

The 53-year-old, of Lime Close, Colden Common, was killed in Winchester Road, Alresford on July 3.

The Rev Royston Such said: "So many have spoken of him in many different ways but always they have spoken of a good man."

Mr Such said he would remember Mr Knight for his smile. He said: "It was not a public smile. It was a special smile linked to a sort of sensitivity that not many human beings possess. I shall remember it because I know it was genuine."

Mr Such told the packed church about Allan's habit of leaving a bottle of milk and a loaf of bread by a tree in Bighton for a local tramp. He said sometimes the tramp would pay Mr Knight but if he didn't, Allan would often make up the difference.

"My guess is in reality this was just one of many occasions like this, but that it had just come to the attention of someone.

"This goes some way to explaining what kind of man he was and why so many have turned out to pay their respects today."

A 32-year-old Southampton has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.