Hundreds attend Hannah funeral

Hundreds attend Hannah funeral

Eyewitness report from funeral

Hundreds of family and friends have attended the funeral of murdered 17-year-old Hannah Foster.

The Reverend Graham Archer told the congregation of 300 people at Highfield Church in Southampton: "All of us are here today with a heavy heart."

"It is shocking that people can lurk in our community in such a way, but the love that has come out of the community is in stark contrast to our sorrow."

Dozens more people listened to the service from outside the church, where it was relayed on loudspeakers.

Pink roses

Hannah's parents, Hilary, 46, and Trevor, 53, her sister, Sarah, 14, and other members of the family left the church behind her coffin during the last hymn of the one-hour service.

The coffin, made of finely woven bamboo, was topped by a wreath of pink roses from the flower shop where Hannah did work experience.

The family then drove to a private cremation at Southampton Crematorium.

Hannah's former history teacher Anne Richardson, of Eastleigh's Barton Peveril College, said: "She was possessed of an extraordinary intellect.

Hannah was born on 31 August 1985 and died in March 2003

"We are, as teachers, so privileged to be working with young people and that comes to the fore today."

Hannah's neighbour Michael Plays played Ave Maria on the cello and her friend Hayley Watson read a poem she had written in memory of Hannah.

Her former English teacher Clive Pitts, from Cantell School in Bassett, said: "She was just a wonderful young lady.

"I can't begin to make sense of Hannah's tragedy but what I do know is that I will remember her forever and I am grateful to have been her English teacher."

The funeral service was also attended by officers from the murder inquiry, Operation Springfield.

The teenager, who had won a place to study medicine at university, was found raped and strangled after disappearing on a night out with friends on 14 March.