THE FUNERAL of ex-wrestling 'baddie' Peter Ginsberg began in the true spirit of his character - with a humorous body slam from his widow Pauline.

In a brief tribute to the colourful millionaire which was greeted with laughter and applause from family, friends and a flurry of fighters, she told a packed church: "I know it is unusual for a wife to speak, but I WILL have the last word!

"He drove us mad - but we absolutely adored him. The greatest thing in his life was his family."

More than 250 fans - including a bunch of burly men from Peter's wrestling career - packed into St Peter's Church, Prestbury, for a ringside seat to bid farewell to one of the village's greatest characters.

Peter enjoyed centre-stage and he got it. His coffin was carried in to the strains of Frank Sinatra singing Gershwin's "They Can't Take That Away From Me", reflecting his passion for wearing a fedora - amplified by the presence of a hat-shaped wreath signed 'from the Rat Pack'.

After a touching service he was transported out to "Somewhere over the Rainbow", a piece of music which proved too much for most who went to celebrate Peter's life. Many broke down in tears.

A tribute from grunt and groan star Bobby Steel, who helped launch Peter's wrestling career 40 years ago, saw the sorrowful silence broken by applause.

He said: "His exuberance was uncontrollable. It never failed to bring a big smile to all of our faces."

In a true rags-to-riches life-story, Peter began life in a Manchester council house and ended it in a grand mansion in Prestbury.

He started his fighting career as a bare-knuckle battler, and in the Sixties donned a trademark leather cape and helmet to become the light heavyweight champion of the world, known as Abe - the villain everyone loved to hate.

Peter then began dabbling in antiques after filling his car with collectables and curios during his travels across Europe.

He later became a popular figure in Prestbury as the owner of Prestbury Antiques - which led to regular appearances on local radio, and preceded him conceiving Churchill's, the huge antiques emporium on Macclesfield's Union Street.

In 1997 Peter summed up his enjoyment of life. He said: "All my happiness comes from my wife, my kids - and wheeling and dealing."

Peter, who leaves behind children Adam, 17, and Beth, 15, died suddenly of a suspected heart attack, aged 65, last week.

He was buried quietly at the Over Alderley Methodist Churchyard on Tuesday.