'Superman' rights campaigner Haydn Burton remembered at funeral after Winchester Prison hanging

Friends, family and activists attended the funeral of Haydn Burton at a ceremony in the Meon Valley on Friday.

The 42-year-old died at Royal Hampshire County Hospital last month after he was found hanging in his cell.

Haydn Burton campaigned for father's and children's rights in a Superman costume

Campaigners from News Fathers 4 Justice travelled from across Britain to pay their respects at the Sustainability Centre Mercury Park, East Meon.

Many arrived in superhero costume, forming a guard of honour at the graveside as Mr Burton's coffin was carried by horse-drawn bier.

Bobby Smith, from Stevenage, read a poem entitled Superman at the family's request.

He added: “In real life the villains are not as obvious as what they are in comic books and films – they’re hidden. Haydn recognised this and he knew the injustice he was facing, and he set about informing as many people as possible trying to get change and justice for what he deserved.

"To do that, he dressed up as a superhero, the best superhero there is.”

An inquest has been opened into Mr Burton's death on July 15 by central Hampshire's senior coroner, Grahame Short.

The service came after friends opened a memorial wall in Winchester city centre, where Mr Burton regularly protested with a costume, placards and loud hailer.

Mr Burton was on remand at Winchester Prison following assault allegations.

He was also due to be sentenced for possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage to a police cell and breach of a criminal behaviour order by being anti-social.

After the service, Mr Smith said: "From the large amount of people there today, it is obvious that he touched many lives in different ways.

"To me he was an inspirational campaigner for justice with a deeply emotional side to him, but before anything else he was a devoted loving father.

"Haydn is someone who has left a legacy behind for others to follow. "