Family, friends and firemen lined the streets of Abbots Langley today to pay tribute to a “generous and well-loved” Watford firefighter.

Daniel Edmonds, 26, from Abbots Langley, died after sustaining a fatal blow to the head during his first full contact kickboxing match at Lava and Ignite nightclub in Hemel Hempstead.

Mr Edmonds leaves behind his mother, Sally Fillary; father Alan Edmonds; girlfriend Michelle Noble; sister, brother-in-law and nephews Michelle, Dean, Alfie and Louis Mayhew, and his 18-month-old Labrador, Dudley.

More than 600 well-wishers flocked to St Lawrence Church, in the High Street this afternoon, to remember a man friends referred to “as always smiling, with a wicked sense of humour”.

Reverend Jo Spreadbury said: “It is a fitting tribute to Daniel that so many of those who knew him have turned out today.

“In all my years here, I have never seen such a high attendance for a funeral - Daniel has become a legend here, once again.”

Firefighter and friend Doug Piercey described how “seamlessly” Daniel had gone from recruit to firefighter after joining Red Watch Brigade at Watford fire station in August 2008.

He said: “Daniel was an asset to the fire service and we feel as though we’ve lost a brother.

“He was honoured as Recruit of the Year and I can say that he was undoubtedly one of the best recruits we have ever had.”

A tearful Michelle Mayhew, Daniel’s sister, told the congregation: “Daniel was a generous friend and a generous brother, who was always happy to listen.

“When I saw him fighting on Sunday, I remember thinking to myself that I would never ever tease him again about kickboxing, I just couldn’t believe how quickly he moved around the ring.

“I couldn’t have asked any more from a brother, I can only thank him for the years we had.”

Best friend Barney Walker remembered his late friend fondly, describing to the assembly how excited Daniel was when he found out that he had made it from recruit to firefighter.

Recounting the fateful evening Daniel died, he said: “Daniel had texted me just before his match, saying he didn’t want to let anyone down.

“Of course, Daniel never let anyone down, it wasn’t in his nature.

“I had asked him to act as best man for me next year, but of course he won’t be able to do that now.

“I can imagine him now, standing beside his coffin, laughing at me having to make the speech, when he no longer has to.”

In a statement read aloud on behalf of Daniel’s girlfriend, Michelle Noble, she described to the congregation how her heart had been “inadvertently broken” by Daniel’s death and how much she missed his “gentle touch and kiss”.

Daniel’s nephew Alfie also paid tribute to his “fantastic” uncle in a letter read at the service, as he described missing his “best friend who he enjoyed beating on the Nintendo” and how he would look after his dog, Dudley.

Before his death, Daniel Edmonds had registered to be an all-organ donor and the congregation were told how ten of Daniel’s organs and some of his tendons and skin were being put to use.

Reverend Spreadbury said: “It is thanks to Daniel that a burns victim will be able to have skin grafting, a child could end up with a new heart, two men who desperately needed kidneys will have them and a man who needed lungs will be able to breathe easier.

“Daniel was selfless individual, who helped people throughout his life and continues to help them through his death.”

A coffin carrying Daniel Edmonds and bearing his kickboxing shirt, his fireman's helmet and bouquets of lilies was carried out of the church, to the sound of “Daniel” by Elton John.