'Internet date' girl laid to rest

Ashleigh's coffin had a floral tribute in the shape of a pink Playboy bunny.

About 500 mourners filled a church for the funeral of a 17-year-old Darlington girl, allegedly killed by a man she met on a social networking site.

The body of Ashleigh Hall was found in a field near Sedgefield last month. She had been smothered.

Peter Chapman, 32, has been charged with her manslaughter and kidnap.

The Reverend Robert Williamson told the congregation at Darlington's St Cuthbert's Church that Ashleigh's death had "broken a lot of hearts."

Ashleigh, of Warwick Square, Darlington, was found dead in a farmer's field close to the Little Chef roundabout, off the A689 and A177 roads on 26 October.

The vicar read out a tribute from the teenager's family which said: "Ashleigh was a young girl full of promise. She had her whole life ahead of her.

"She was taken from us all unexpectedly which hurt and broke a lot of hearts.

"Ashleigh, your final hours on this earth were uncalled for.

A post mortem examination revealed that Ashleigh had been smothered

"You were taken from us all by this person well before your time. We all love and miss you so much. Ashleigh rest in peace."

Her grandfather Mike Hall, 69, linked arms with her mother Andrea Hall, 39, as they walked over the cobbles into the church behind the coffin.

It was topped by a floral tribute in the shape of a pink Playboy bunny.

On a card her mother wrote: "Can't understand why you have been taken from me. I love you and miss you every day. All my love Mum."

The teenager was praised by her mother for her help in looking after her sisters Olivia, six, Ellie, four, and Evie, aged one.

After the 30-minute service the coffin was taken away for a private cremation.

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The Reverend Robert Williamson said he had comforted Ashleigh's family.