MANY moving messages were among dozens of floral tributes at the funeral yesterday of murdered Ashford woman Amanda Champion.

One was from her friends from work. It read: "Good night and God bless. Forever in our thoughts and always in our hearts."

Another said: "Amanda, we will miss your smiling face and your happiness and joy."

Family and friends of 21-year-old Miss Champion came together at St Mary the Virgin Church, Willesborough, to remember her at an emotional service.

Just after the church bells struck 11am, Miss Champion's coffin was carried slowly from a single hearse through the churchyard and in to the church. A blue and white cross of flowers rested on top of the coffin, with a small purple bouquet.

The dozens of mourners, many wearing a single red flower, had waited at the churchyard entrance and stood silently as the church bells rang out, before following through the main doors.

Amoing the mourners were Miss Champion's friends at BP Travel Marketing Services, Orbital Park, where she worked in the dispatch department.

After the service Miss Champion's coffin was taken to Bybrook Cemetery.

Miss Champion was last seen on July 3 just after 5pm in the South Willesborough post office, Mead Road, where CCTV captured her buying a carton milk and some crisps. Her body was found on Saturday, July 26.

The cause of her death is not being revealed for operational reasons.