'Laughter and tears' at Tony Benn's funeral in Westminster

Tony Benn's son paid a moving tribute to the former Labour MP at today's funeral service, praising his "encouragement and inspiration" for his family and many others.

In his eulogy at St Margaret's Church, Stephen Benn said the very last words his father heard were his four children telling him they loved him.

Listen to a segment of his speech here:

Tony Benn's funeral service has now ended, following tributes from his family.

A number of attendees have tweeted following the ceremony:

Figures from across political divide have arrived in Westminster for the funeral service of Tony Benn.

Mr Benn's coffin arrived at St Margaret's Church to applause and some tears as politicians and activists made up the amassed crowds.

Arthur Scargill, Rory Bremner, Lord Heseltine, Gerry Adams and Andrew Mitchell are among those at the ceremony, ITV News' Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen reports.

Read: Hundreds honour Tony Benn at his funeral in Westminster

Devoted crowds are waiting outside in Westminster as the funeral service of former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn gets underway.

One banner describes the left-wing MP as "truly irreplacable", while another calls him "our Tony Benn".

Shadow Secretary of State for Wales Peter Hain is among those at Tony Benn's funeral service.

On Twitter, he said the ceremony at Westminster Abbey will end with the 'The Red Flag' - a song long associated with the Labour Party and left-wing politics.

The funeral of Tony Benn is set to take place from 11am at Westminster Abbey, and large crowds have turned out to pay their respects.

Former Labour minister Tony Benn will be laid to rest today after a funeral held opposite the Houses of Parliament.

Read: Tony Benn's body to lie in Westminster Hall

Read: Tony Benn: A towering figure who never wavered

The father-of-four will be remembered in a service at St Margaret's Church during a service beginning at 11am.

His body will be taken by hearse from the gates of New Palace Yard, with family members following on foot.

The left wing politician, who died aged 88 earlier this month, was allowed to lie in Parliament's Chapel of St Mary Undercroft with MPs, peers and passholders allowed to pay their respects.

Read: Veteran Labour politician Tony Benn dies aged 88

Read: Tony Benn's coffin arrives in Westminster

Tony Benn's coffin arrived in Westminster tonight as he made his final visit to Parliament.

The former Labour cabinet minister's body lay in rest in Parliament's Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, as family gathered round for a private ceremony to mark his death.

His children Stephen, Hilary, Melissa and Joshua were among around 30 close relatives who attended the service conducted by the Speaker of the House of Commons' Chaplain Rose Hudson-Wilkin in the crypt chapel.

The chapel has been also been briefly opened up to MPs, peers and passholders to allow them to pay their respects ahead of tomorrow's funeral.

Mr Benn's funeral will take place tomorrow at 11am opposite parliament at St Margaret's Church after his coffin is taken by hearse from the gates of New Palace Yard, with family members following on foot.

A memorial meeting will be held later in the year.