HUNDREDS of people attended the funeral of a grandfather of 47, described as a pillar of the Southampton’s Sikh community.

Chaman Singh Mahi Bhakar has been described as a devoted Sikh and respected elder within the community.

He served as the president and secretary at various times for the Gurdwara, Guru Tegh Bahadar Sahib – the city’s Sikh temple – in St Marks Road, Newtown where he his life was celebrated on Tuesday.

Mr Bhakar died of natural causes at the age of 85, surrounded by his family in his home in Chilworth.

He was born in Lahore in 1931 and his family settled in Delhi after the partition of India in 1947.

Chaman came to the UK in 1948, aged just 17.

Alongside his brothers he worked as a coal merchant in Manchester.

The father-of-nine then went on to establish himself as a successful businessman in the property market in Southampton.

Family friend John Roath said: “The elders have laid the foundations for the next generations.

“Mr Bhakar will be sadly missed, he was a very religious man who was very well liked and respected in our community.

“He was someone that I looked up to as an elder, I would always follow his teachings and advice. The number of people at Mr Bhakar’s funeral is a true testament to his contribution to the Sikh community.”