Funeral for tragic Stephanie

Stephanie Hammill worked as a travel agent

The funeral is taking place of travel agent Stephanie Hammill who was killed in a bizarre hit-and-run accident.

The funeral service was due to start at St Mary's Church in Rothwell, Leeds, at 1300 GMT, followed by a private burial at nearby St Mary's Cemetery.

The body of Ms Hammill, 20, of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was found in the early hours of 29 November.

Detectives think she may have jumped from a red Rover 600-type car, whose driver abducted her, only to be hit by a second vehicle almost immediately.

New appeal

Stephanie had been with her fiance James Garland, 22, when they flagged down what they thought was a taxi in Balne Lane.

It drew alongside and she got in the back leaving the door open for her boyfriend, but the car drove off, leaving Mr Garland behind.

Stephanie was found lying in the road only five minutes later, about a mile-and-half from where she had been picked up, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

As mourners gathered for the funeral, West Yorkshire Police repeated their appeal for information which might help them track down the person who abducted Stephanie.

We believe we are getting closer to the abductor all the time Det Supt Howard Crowther

Detectives are awaiting a report from vehicle identification experts who they hope will help them pinpoint the make, model and possibly even the registration number of the vehicle in which Stephanie was abducted.

Detective Superintendent Howard Crowther, who is leading the investigation, said: ""We believe we are getting closer to the abductor all the time.

"We eagerly await the full results of the expert reconstruction work which should narrow it down even furtrher.

"The funeral will obviously be a difficult day for Stephanie's family and James and our sympathies are very much with them."

A 52-year-old man who was arrested in connection with the inquiry has been released on police bail until February.